DUBAI - The majority of readers back Qatar’s pledge to allow Israel to take part in a World Cup on its territory despite not recognising the Jewish state, the results of the latest Maktoob News poll show.The Gulf state has launched a bid to host the 2022 World Cup and, in an effort to make its bid more attractive, has said it will let Israel take part and permit alcohol consumption.
Qatar already plays host to several international sporting events and has allowed Israeli competitors to take part in the past, notably tennis stars that were temporarily banned by Dubai earlier this year in response to Israel’s three-week military assault on Gaza.
Seventy percent of respondents to the poll praised Qatar for “rising up above differences and celebrating humanity”, with 7 percent of those adding it would be good because then Arab teams would get the chance to go up against Israel.
Despite being located in the Middle East, Israel is grouped as part of Europe for sporting events, meaning they do not play neighbouring Arab states, many of which do not officially recognise Israel.
The remaining 30 percent of respondents said Qatar should not let Israel take part if it hosted a World Cup, with 23 percent stating it would go against Arab unity and 9 percent saying it would overshadow the competition and make security a nightmare.
Dubai sparked international outrage when in February it denied Israeli player Shahar Pe'er a visa to take part in the Dubai Tennis Championships, violating WTA rules.
The tournament was later fined $300,000 and ordered by pay Pe'er $44,250.