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ISRAELI DECISION TO BLOCK SPECIAL OLYMPIAN CONTRADICTS SPIRIT OF GAMES

category international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release author Thursday June 19, 2003 18:21author by flanaganauthor address Ely Place, Dublin 2

Israeli authorities refuse to allow Palestinian athlete to participate in Special Olympics.

Labour Party Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Deputy Michael D Higgins has described the decision of Israeli authorities not to allow a 21-year-old Down syndrome athlete from Palestine to travel to Ireland for the Special Olympics as "a complete affront to the values of the games and the spirit of compassion and humanity they promote."

Deputy Higgins continued, "The Special Olympics is about promoting the positive side of life and breaking-down prejudices people hold about people with intellectual disabilities. In this instance the Israeli authorities appear ignorant of such sentiments.

"I am calling on the Israeli authorities to grant passage for Mr Lyad Abuelkheir from the Gaza Strip to Egypt to allow him complete his journey to Ireland and take-part in the handball competition in which he is entered."

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