Egyptian forfeits Taekwondo match with Israeli

Al Ahram reports that Egyptian Rowan Ali refused to compete against Israeli Sivan Fenster in the quarterfinals of the women's 47 kg category of the 17th Zagreb Croatia Open Taekwondo competition.

When Ali learned that her next opponent was an Israeli she withdrew from the competition.

Fenster won a bronze medal as a result.

Altogether the Israeli team won four bronze medals at Zagreb.

Usually one only sees Iranians refuse to compete with Israelis. The idea that a country ostensibly at peace with Israel would allow such behavior tells you more about Egyptian-Israeli relations than any political analysis can.

An Iranian champion did refuse to attend a medal ceremony where Israeli Liran Malachi received his bronze so as not to stand next to him on the podium.