Israel's leading female tennis player, Shahar Peer, was refused a visa for entry into the United Arab Emirates yesterday, as politics threatened the future of one of the world's richest tennis tournaments.
The UAE does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and tournament organisers believe the decision to refuse entry to Peer was a reaction to the recent conflict in Gaza.
Do you think the UAE should've given Peer a visa? Or were they right for denying her a visa because of their view on the Gaza conflict? Is what they're doing actually sending out a message or causing more problems?
I think that the UAE is trying their best to not take a stand about the conflict in Gaza and to stay neutral, if you will. They're trying to keep tensions low, and I'm pretty sure that if Gaza had a tennis player in the tournament, they[UAE] would deny that player as well.
i think they should have given Peer a visa. just because she lives in Israel and they dont support Israel's attack on Gaza dose not give them the right to take their anger out on her.
It was not a reaction against Gaza! UAE doesn't recognize Israel and doesn't allow people inside with only Israeli passports, but they will allow a dual citizen with israel citizenship and another countries membership in the country. with that said, Dubai is wrong about this. they were given a year in advance to plan for this event. They were told if the top WTA players want to play, they have to be given the right to play. All the notable female tennis players have spoken out in support of Peer. Dubai is going to lose its prestige as a step right below a Grand Slam if they keep this up next year, which is a shame because they are a rich country & they have a beautiful facility I hear.