{"id":124017,"date":"2025-09-07T17:05:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-07T15:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/?p=124017"},"modified":"2025-09-07T14:37:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-07T12:37:32","slug":"08-05-120","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reunion68.se\/?p=124017","title":{"rendered":"Spanish chess tournament bans Israeli flags, global body overrules"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\"\"<\/a>Spanish chess tournament bans Israeli flags, global body overrules<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

YOAV ETIEL<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\n

A ban on Israeli flags at a Spanish chess tournament brings Israeli chess player Erez Kupervaser back to Oct. 7 and memories of his sister who was murdered by Hamas terrorists at Nova music festival.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n

Chess players from Russia and Israel play at the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, August 21, 2025. \/ (photo credit: REUTERS\/Raghed Waked)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Israeli chess players were informed on Friday that they would not be allowed to compete under the Israeli flag at a tournament scheduled to take place in Spain\u2019s<\/a> Basque region, and they would have to play under the neutral flag of FIDE, the World Chess Federation.According to the organizers, participants who refused would be disqualified and expelled from the tournament, which is scheduled to take place between September 12th and 18th.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Israeli participants include Erez Kupervaser, who lost his sister, Shani, on October 7<\/a>, when she was murdered by Hamas terrorists while attending the Nova music festival<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think about how my sister was murdered just for being Israeli. And how the world treats us now, after so much suffering. I immediately thought of Shani. It was harsh, a painful feeling. I was deeply saddened and angry at the organizers,\u201d Kupervaser said after learning about the new rule.<\/span><\/p>\n

>Eventually, after pressure from the Israeli Chess Federation and extensive talks held by its CEO, Gil Boruchovsky, and chairman Zvika Barkai, as well as senior FIDE officials, the global body required the organizers to allow the Israeli flag to be displayed next to Israeli players competing in Spain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chess board (credit: ISRAELI CHESS ASSOCIATION)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

FIDE steps up for Israel and against discrimination<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cFIDE<\/a> had no prior knowledge of this decision, did not make any ruling on this, nor was it consulted by the organizers,\u201d read an official statement by the organization.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
They also said, \u201cFIDE strongly condemns any form of discrimination, including on the basis of nationality and flag. The same rules apply to Israel and its players as to all other member federations that are not under any form of sanctions.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/section>\n<\/section>\n

\n
We have sent a formal request for detailed information to the tournament organisers and will take all necessary actions to ensure our rules and principles are respected at all events.\u201d<\/span><\/section>\n
\n