Muhammad al-Awadi withdrew from the J4 Dubai Tournament 2022 that is taking place in the UAE city from January 17 to 22, 2022, Al-Alam reported.Social media activists lauded the move as a rejection of normalization of ties with the Zionist occupiers of Palestine.They also regarded it as being in line with Kuwait’s support for the Palestinian cause.Yusuf al-Sanad, a member of the Persian Gulf Scholars Union, wrote n Twitter that the Kuwaiti hero announced his withdrawal from the competition in solidarity with the people of Palestine and in rejction of the Zionist regime’s terrorism.Osama al-Shaheen, a member of Kuwait’s parliament also tweeted, “Greetings and thanks to the Kuwaiti hero Muhammad al-Awadi for his refusal to normalize sports competition with the Zionists.”The Youths for Al-Quds Society wrote on its Instagram page that normalization with the Israeli regime is an act of treachery and that the Kuwaiti tennis player’s move is worthy of praise.
If the Arab nations that would refuse to play against Israeli opponents wanted to be consistent, they shouldn't enter any tournaments that allow Israeli players to begin with. They should boycott them because they are "normalizing" with Israel.
By entering the tournaments, they are agreeing that it is an honor to compete in the tournaments to begin with even with Israeli players.
Choosing only to withdraw if they happen to draw an Israeli opponent shows that there is nothing honorable or about withdrawal - it is pure cowardice.
Israel doesn't suffer from the "snub." An Israeli youth will now reach the finals, guaranteed at least second place.
UPDATE: This is fake news. Al Awadi was never going to play against an Israeli. He lost in the second round.
