Qatar Resists Pressure for Handball Boycott

(August 1999)

Qatar welcomes the Israeli handball team to the World Youth Handball Competition slated for the end of August, Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, reported. In spite of diplomatic pressure from Saudia Arabia and Bahrain who boycotted the games, one member of the Royal family said, "The Israeli team is no different than any other team. Sports and politics should be differentiated." Several editorials were published in Qataran newspapers during the past two months criticizing Israel's participation.