The right to our flag

Op-ed: Israel should have rejected Dubai’s decision to hide our flag in swimming contest

Reuters | Published: 12.20.10, 00:03

Forgive me for raining on the parade of the swimming contest in Dubai, but when I watched our swimmers there without a flag and the name of our country being displayed, I felt unease. With all due respect to the Dubai government’s openness, they need the Israeli representatives no less than the Israeli athletes are interested in competing there.

If Dubai wishes to host international competitions, it needs to accept everyone regardless of religion, creed, or origin, in line with the Olympic Committee’s charter. The implication of this is simple: If Israel does not arrive in Dubai, the competition will be moved elsewhere.

Officials in Dubai are seeking great honor; they wish to host competitions and turn into an international sports center, and for that reason they are willing to swallow an Israeli presence. The problem arises when competition organizers are trying to do it while creating the appearance they’re not doing it. They want to host Israelis so that the international association will recognize Dubai as worthy, yet on the other hide the Israeli presence.

Indeed, flags and symbols are not everything. Israel cultivated secret diplomatic ties with many Arabs states since its inception, and in some cases this is a success story that contributes to both sides. However, culture and sports do not belong in the realm of secrecy. The opposite is true: They are the most powerful and Israeli voice we have here.

We need to play tough

And here comes the issue of this country’s flags, names, and symbols. You may say this is a narrow and possibly even childish way of thinking, but in my view, in 2010 it’s impossible to have a situation whereby an Israeli athlete who represents the Jewish state is required to renounce his flag and appear as a stateless, wondering Jew.

The Israeli swimmers in Dubai are representatives of a state with a name and a flag, and there is no reason to prevent them from using these symbols.

I do not expect the renowned Dubai police chief to hang Israeli flags from lampposts, but I do expect officials there to adhere to the duty to make note of the swimmers’ state of origin and allow our flag to wave where our athlete compete.

If the organizers think they cannot accord equal treatment to Israelis, then we should refrain from appearing there. Indeed, this will cause our athletes to miss out on one or more important contests, yet it will convey a clear message to organizers. It is possible and preferable to insist on equal treatment to all athletes, including our own. We need to insist on symbols and flags.

Those who think that sportsmanlike spirit and good will are sufficient to prompt change is wrong; we need to play tough and demand what we deserve in line with the charter.