ISRAEL: TENNIS - Israeli team disappointed after Indonesians pull out of their Federation Cup tie because of Gaza offensive

Record ID: 398013

  • Title: ISRAEL: TENNIS - Israeli team disappointed after Indonesians pull out of their Federation Cup tie because of Gaza offensive
  • Date: 8th July 2006
  • Summary: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (JULY 7, 2006) (REUTERS) VARIOUS: OF ISRAELI WOMEN'S TENNIS TEAM TRAINING (4 SHOTS) WIDE: OF PLAYERS TALKING TO COACH ODED JACOB (2 SHOTS) CLOSE UP: COACH ODED JACOB (PROFILE) VARIOUS: OF PLAYERS (3 SHOTS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) ISRAELI WOMEN'S TENNIS COACH ODED JACOB SAYING: "It's really disappointing for us, we have prepared a long time for this tie. We
  • Embargoed: 23rd July 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: International Relations,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA3BE77QGHQ03QS2TZDC8U2WT6G
  • Story Text: Indonesia has pulled out of a Fed Cup tennis tie with Israel in Tel Aviv this month because of Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.
    Israel has launched the offensive with the goal of forcing Palestinian militants in Gaza to release a soldier they captured in a cross-border raid on June 25.
    Women players from Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, had been due to take on Israel in a World Group II playoff on July 15-16.
    The Israeli team who were practising on Friday (July 7) in Tel Aviv said they were disappointed not to be playing.
    However because the Indonesians have withdrawn the Israeli's will advance into the World Group II of the competition.
    "It's really disappointing for us, we have prepared a long time for this tie. We were very excited to play at home finally after 10 years, with no home game, and these girls had the opportunity to be exposed to the Israeli crowd," said Israeli team coach Oded Jacob.
    The Indonesian Foreign ministry said they would not play the tie, citing the Israeli action in Gaza.
    Indonesia is a staunch supporter of an independent Palestinian state and a critic of Israel, with which it does not have diplomatic relations.
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