Tournament organizers under scrutiny for supposedly prohibiting the display of Israeli flags at a Spanish chess event

In the Basque Country of Spain, the ongoing international chess tournament has found itself at the centre of a political storm. Organisers of the event, led by Tournament Director Miguel Ángel de l’Olmo Alonso and the local organising chess club in Sestao, have reportedly banned the Israeli flag from being displayed, citing unspecified reasons beyond their control.

This decision has been met with criticism from aid agencies who describe the situation in Gaza as a deepening humanitarian catastrophe. Large parts of the region have been left in ruins due to Israel's military campaign against Hamas. International calls for a ceasefire and a revival of efforts toward a two-state solution have continued to grow.

The organisers of the chess tournament have sent a letter to seven Israeli players, informing them of the ban. However, it's important to note that Israeli players are not subject to such restrictions in the tournament.

This dispute comes amid heightened tensions over the war in Gaza. It's worth mentioning that the sporting world in Spain was recently thrust into the spotlight due to political reasons, as pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted a cycle race and demanded the ejection of an Israeli team.

Interestingly, chess players from Russia and Belarus have been competing under the FIDE flag since 2022 due to sanctions imposed after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The governing body of the chess tournament has requested detailed information from the organisers regarding the Israeli flag ban.

As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved, and whether it will cast a shadow over the competition. The organisers have yet to comment further on the matter.

Tournament organizers under scrutiny for supposedly prohibiting the display of Israeli flags at a Spanish chess event