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Last update - 11:37 01/03/2009
ADL slams Swedish city's 'anti-Israel bias' in tennis fan ban
By Haaretz Service and The Associated Press
Tags: Malmo, Israel News, Davis Cup 

The Anti-Defamation League on Thursday criticized Swedish authorities for banning spectators from a Davis Cup tennis match between Sweden and Israel.

Officials cited security concerns for the closed-door policy in the city of Malmo because anti-Israeli demonstrations are expected during the best-of-five series on March 6-8.

Malmo, Sweden's third largest city, has a left-leaning local government and a large Muslim minority. Its leaders have strongly criticized Israel over the Gaza invasion, and some have called for the Davis Cup match to be dropped altogether.
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The ADL slammed the move as a "blatant attempt to politically exploit an international sporting competition," accusing the Malmo city council of using the tennis matches "as a device to express anti-Israel bias."

Thd ADL cited Malmo's mayor, Ilmar Reepalu, who was quoted as saying "We shouldn't have any matches with Israel."

"Sports should not be politicized, and the eagerness of Malmo city officials to use this tennis match to demonstrate their anti-Israel prejudice is a blatant attempt to politically exploit an international sporting competition," said Abe Foxman, the ADL's national director.

"Barring Swedes from coming to support their own national team in the most prestigious international men's tennis team competition shows how far Malmo city officials are willing to go to express their hostility toward Israel," Foxman said.

Foxman added that the decision to bar fans was made despite police assessments that adequate security measures were in place to allow the event to be held as planned.

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      1.   Boycott of Israel is fair. 11:40  |  Palestinian Brit 01/03/09
      2.   The Swedish governement should sue both ADL and AIPAC.... 11:49  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/03/09
      3.   MALMO police and ambulance frightened.Moslem rioters rule. 11:51  |  PETER SM 01/03/09
      4.   PAL BRIT.Your thugs rioting in Europe is intimidation 12:14  |  PETER SM 01/03/09
      5.   The Swedish governement should sue both ADL and AIPAC.... 12:42  |  Swiss (Dino) 01/03/09
      6.   Stop, just stop with the anti israel crap 12:46  |  Tim 01/03/09
      7.   war crimes supporters 12:51  |  Hoony 01/03/09
      8.   Fair minded Swedes 13:12  |  Rina 01/03/09
      9.   boycott does not kill innocents 13:28  |  Stem Cell 01/03/09
      10.   Malmo could not guarantee security 13:53  |  Chris Linthwaite 01/03/09
      11.   #3 Peter SM of Melbourne 14:47  |  Chris Linthwaite 01/03/09
      12.   If Malmo`s story is true, it`s very sad 15:10  |  DJStahl 01/03/09
      13.   Malmo shouldn`t be hosting at all 15:24  |  Raymond in DC 01/03/09
      14.   Malmo 15:42  |  Louis Fried 01/03/09
      15.   Which country 15:47  |  Axel 01/03/09
      16.   Swedish ads 15:55  |  Rina 01/03/09
      17.   Boycott Israel and all Jewish products 15:56  |  cachanilla 01/03/09
      18.   Demonstrations in Malmö 16:08  |  Von Elverstig 01/03/09
      19.   Sweden burning! 16:09  |  from Sweden 01/03/09
      20.   When are European cowards going to stand 16:10  |  Mark 01/03/09
      21.   ok for the ban 16:17  |  Jean-Pierre 01/03/09
      22.   Tiresome of the ADL and Abe Foxman 16:20  |  Marlene N. 01/03/09
      23.   What if We Boycott Muslims In Sports For Human Rights Violations 16:55  |  Baruch Gold 01/03/09
      24.   Malmo is a disaster / dangerous 16:57  |  Liliane 01/03/09
      25.   I`m startng to miss those long legged swedish 17:02  |  larzbeach 01/03/09
      26.   Zionist propaganda 17:09  |  TJ 01/03/09
      27.   Palbrit - Boycott of Palestinian terrorists & Iran is fairer 17:11  |  Dan 01/03/09
      28.   Swedes 17:27  |  PARIS 01/03/09
      29.   Sharia law is coming to Sweden 18:02  |  Sam 01/03/09
      30.   There is a country ... 18:32  |  Axel 01/03/09
      31.   Swedes Are Scared of Muslims 19:22  |  Baruch Gold 01/03/09
      32.   #10 Larzbeach 19:30  |  Lou Medel 01/03/09
      33.   Stockholm 19:51  |  Chris Linthwaite 01/03/09
      34.   Peaceful Sweden 20:13  |  von Dupfke 01/03/09
      35.   #19 Baruch Gold 20:33  |  Chris Linthwaite 01/03/09
      36.   The Islamization of Sweden and other 21:40  |  TOMY 01/03/09
      37.   #22 TJ 21:44  |  Moshe 01/03/09
      38.   #26 Herr Axel 21:55  |  Moshe 01/03/09
      39.   MALMO banning of spectators 21:56  |  LEN 01/03/09
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