Israeli chess players have refused to participate in the international Open Basque Country tournament to be held in the Spanish town of Sestao. El País reports that the decision is related to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Seven Israeli players withdrew from the competition after organizers offered them the option of playing under the flag of the World Chess Federation.
Miguel-Ángel Del Olmo, president of the Sestao chess club, said he initially wanted to ban the Israeli athletes, but had to let them participate after FIDE’s intervention.
Miguel-Ángel Del Olmo, the tournament director
FIDE, which is governed by Israelis, sent us a warning that if we removed the flags, the tournament would not be rated and no norms or Elo points would count. The club's management is totally in favor of the protests and against what Israel is doing to these people.
In addition, the Biscay club announced that the flag of Palestine will be displayed among the flags of all participating countries at the tournament as a sign of solidarity.
