Fencers will compete, hoist flag in Aqaba

After weeks of debate and discussion, the Jordanian Fencing Federation (JFF) on Thursday succumbed to intense pressure by the Jordanian government and Israeli officials, granting Israeli fencers Tomer Or and Ayelet Ohayon permission to compete in this weekend's World Fencing Championships in Aqaba.

<clip>

Members of the Israeli delegation were informed Wednesday that they could not enter the competition, but may come as spectators.

<clip>

Federation president Khalid Atiyat said on Thursday that the federation dropped the ban "after we received several calls from Jordanian government officials who were highly concerned .

A jubilant Dr. Vladimir Shklar, head of the Israeli fencing delegation, told Jerusalem Post Thursday that "we're very excited to be here. After we got there and enrolled, we saw all the participating nations' flags flying outside the gymnasium, except Israel's. There was an empty pole instead."

When asked to fly the Israeli flag on the empty pole, the Jordanian organizers refused, telling Shklar and members of the Israeli team, "If you want to do it, do it yourself."

<clip>

Before the eyes of hundreds of Arab spectators, Shklar and fencer Tomer Or climbed up the pole, and hoisted the Israeli flag alongside the flags of the other nations participating in the event.

"It was pretty scary, standing before all those armed Jordanian policemen," Shklar told the 'Post. "But we did it. Our flag is flying in Jordan, amidst all the Arab flags.

<clip>

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1074140311480

And the men were fair and brave ...

And the women were pure of heart, and cooked wonderful meals for the fair and brave men ...

and .. the flag flew higher and ..... fluffier .... then ever had been flown by any flag ...... ever ....

Geeeeze: ...

The histrionics are breathtaking ....

Though I am glad that EVERYONE who deserves to compete are allowed to do so, ... I am not surprised to think that welcome mats were not layed out before the fact to the 'brave and heroic' Fencers by the very people whom are condemned as 'animals' by a 'certain segment of the worlds population' ...

I am reminded of the Whites in the USA who denied Blacks public schooling, and then derided them for their ignorance ...

You CANNOT condemn a whole race of beings, and then expect hearty welcomes when you arrive at their home ...

And yet again: .... the JPost leads the charge for better and more heroic propaganda ....

Bush very own sycophants could not do better ...

has nothing to do with the JPost. The fencers were brave and your derision speaks only for yourself.

Edited for missing letter.

"You CANNOT condemn a whole race of beings, and then expect hearty welcomes when you arrive at their home ... "

That's worth repeating. So very true...

No special treatment was expected. Yet, to fail to include the Israel flag was a gross omission, and hardly acceptable in an international competition. While it is better than what the PLO did in Munich, it was still an insult. The actions of the athletes show that Israelis honor their State, while many others do not honor theirs.

Insulting behavior is not acceptable. If they wanted to live in peace, at least a sports' competition would be without such cultural comments.

You say,

"Insulting behavior is not acceptable."

followed by

If they wanted to live in peace, at least a sports' competition would be without such cultural comments.

A blantant threat of force if not allowed to participate in some game?

Odd indeed...

This seems to be out of the blue.

This took place in Jordan, a nation at peace with Israel for several years. Who mentioned a threat of force in any way?

I am referring to the Arab nations in general. All the other participants were from Arab nations. Do you deny that there is a problem of violence in the area?

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.