Campaigners are urging for an Israeli player to be banned from participating in a World Bowls Tour contest in Livingston next month. The Israeli national qualifier, Shalom Ben Ami, is set to compete at the Scottish International Open at the West Lothian Indoor Bowling Club from November 5 to 7.
Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card (The Red Card Group) and Scottish Sport for Palestine have expressed their disapproval of Ben Ami’s participation and are calling for the invitation to be revoked. Over 1600 individuals have signed a petition against his country’s involvement in the tournament.
According to the World Bowls Tour Facebook page, Ben Ami is scheduled to play against Scot Alex Marshall, one of the top 16 WBT ranked players in the competition.
The campaign groups are advocating for the Scottish Government to intervene and ensure that WBT withdraws the invitation under the terms of the Gleneagles Agreement. This agreement stipulates that Scotland is obliged to sever sporting ties with organizations and individuals from countries with apartheid policies.
Furthermore, the groups argue that Ben Ami’s participation contradicts the International Court of Justice’s calls for actions to end the apartheid regime in Israel. The ICJ ruling earlier this year deemed Israel’s occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank unlawful, stating that it violates the international prohibition on racial segregation and apartheid.
The Red Card Group and Scottish Sport for Palestine emphasize the importance of upholding the Gleneagles Agreement and avoiding any support or interaction with individuals representing an apartheid regime. They have vowed to protest the event if the Scottish Government does not take action.
The Scottish International Open is set to feature three days of top-class bowling, with 32 players from around the world competing for the title. The event aims to showcase the best players in the sport, but the controversy surrounding Ben Ami’s participation has overshadowed the excitement.
In conclusion, the groups are urging the Scottish Government to uphold its responsibilities under the Gleneagles Agreement and ensure that the integrity of the tournament is not compromised by allowing a player from a country with alleged human rights violations to participate. The situation remains unresolved, and the Scottish Government is yet to provide a response to the calls for action.
