Oman withdraws from 2024 Beach Club World Cup over Israel's participation, citing support for Palestinians

Oman has officially withdrawn from the 2024 Beach Club World Cup in Italy, which commenced yesterday, in protest against Israel’s participation in the tournament. The move is seen as a demonstration of Oman’s continued support for the Palestinian cause and its refusal to engage with Israel in any international platform.

The decision has been met with wide approval in Oman, including praise from the country’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Hamad Al-Khalili, who described the withdrawal as a principled and moral stance in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The Grand Mufti, in a statement, commended the nation’s leadership for taking a stand against what he termed as “normalisation with the Occupiers”. He further emphasized that this decision aligns with Oman’s long-standing position on Palestine and the Israeli Occupation.

The Omani Football Association released a brief statement outlining the reasons for the withdrawal, noting that the country remains firm in its commitment to supporting Palestinian rights and opposing Israeli actions in the Occupied Territories.

This move comes at a time when the participation of Israel in international events continues to spark debate, particularly in the Middle East, where many nations have yet to normalise relations with the country. Oman’s decision reflects its continued refusal to engage with Israel diplomatically or on the sports field, despite growing regional trends of normalisation, following the Abraham Accords signed by several Arab states.

Oman’s withdrawal highlights the ongoing tension between nations that support the Palestinian cause and those willing to engage with Israel, further showcasing how sports can often intersect with geopolitics. The 2024 Beach Club World Cup is set to continue without Oman’s participation, but the decision sends a clear signal of solidarity with Palestine to the global community.

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