An Israeli flag flying outside a Doha sports complex during the staging of an international swimming event was removed after complaints from some residents in Qatar, it was reported.
The Israeli flag had been flying outside Doha’s Hamad Aquatic Center when the two-day FINA Swimming World Cup 2013 began on Sunday, Doha News reported.
Following a backlash on social media, security guards removed the flag on Monday, the report confirmed.
Israel was one of 32 countries competing in the swimming event and the inclusion of its four swimmers led the Qatar Youth Opposed to Normalization (QAYON) to post a letter to the Qatar Swimming Association urging a boycott of Israel competitors.
“It was brought to our attention that QSA is currently hosting the two-day FINA World Cup series leg… We were distressed to see Qatari residents report seeing the Israeli flag marking the presence of Israeli swimmers on social media… We, Qatar Youth Opposed to Normalization, made up of Qatari citizen and residents, are strongly opposed to this visit,” the QAYON said in its letter of objection.
“Israel is not a “normal” country. The military occupation, the colonisation measures and the apartheid system imposed by Israel in Palestine since 1948, are not policies proper to a “normal” country,” it added.
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