[tennisbum79]

Originally Posted by spiceboy

Of course many people from Israel don't feel the same way as their government but this girl (and myself) are obviosuly pointing out at the government who are actually the ones doing this.

I always thought that there is nothing more filthy and disgusting that after all the suffering and desolation that jews had to go through they do what they do to the Palestinians. Because one thing is the crazy terrorists of Hamas and another one is the Palestian people. A country like Israel simply cannot put itself at the same level as a terrorist organization. And that is exactly what they are doing.

One the most chilling thing is how many Israeli stand by, and watch their government bulldoze houses owned by Palestinians, evict the Palestinians , and bring in Jews to take over the land.

So while it true that many Jews disagree with their government treatment of Palestinians, there are not enough of them outraged at what their government does in their name.

[Juju Nostalgique]

Dictatorships should be banned.

[mykarma]

Originally Posted by tennisbum79

There should be a clause in ITF contract that each organizing country must agree to award visa to all players except in extraordinary circumstances.

The federation of the said country should be fined if they do not abide by the rules. Repeat offenders can be assessed higher fees, and if non-compliance continues, the ultimate sanctions should be taken, which mean permanent or finite suspension, similar to "death penalty" used by NCAA against universities and colleges in the USA.

That would mean that the ITF would have control over another countries government, and who would be responsible if that person does something horrible, the ITF?

[tennisbum79]

Originally Posted by mykarma

That would mean that the ITF would have control over another countries government, and who would be responsible if that person does something horrible, the ITF?

That conclusion can be drawn, but that is not what I meant,

The sanction will go against the tennis organization of the said country, not the national government.
I believe The ITF does not negotiate directly with the the government of the country, the contract negotiation happens between the tennis federation of the country and the ITF.

It is up to the tennis Federation of the country to negotiate and/or clear the term of the contracts regarding visa for tennis players.
If the the tennis federation comes back to the ITF and say they agree with the term of the contracts, then they should be responsible for any punishment or fine spelled out in the contract in case of non-compliance.


As I said, there would extraordinary circumstances that can be litigated as discretionary matters.

[Monzanator]

Venezuela is the richest country in South America and has never sided with USA like Dubai. They can afford to ban players from Israel coming to their territory and unlike Dubai, they don't give a damn about it even when potentially threatened. Dubai might have buckled under WTA's threats but Venezuela won't. Patiuk should have known better and not enter the tournament in first place.

[timafi]

here we go again

[croat123]

I like how people think a player not getting a visa has anything to do with the tournament's organization...and the notion that the ITF can have any say in immigration laws, or that it should punish a tournament because of its country's immigration laws is moronic. No one is entitled to a visa. I'm sure situations like this happen all the time, but because an Israeli player is involved, we are now making a big deal about it. It took me over two months to get a student visa in Australia because I couldn't get them proof that I was not a soldier in the civil war in Yugoslavia in 1991 (when I was 4!!). The situation was idiotic, but it is what it is.

Also, whoever said that Chavez personally denied her visa needs to stop talking...

[neospecialist]

Some historical perspective on why this visa denial may have be related to Valeria Patiuk's country or religion.


http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/13/cha...an_schoen.html

[A Magicman]

Originally Posted by tennisbum79

One the most chilling thing is how many Turks stand by and watch their government send their army to invade an independent country, bulldoze houses owned by Greek Cypriots, evict the Greek Cypriots and bring in Mainland Turks to Northern Cyprus to take over the land AND install a de facto regime to rule the land.

So while it true that some Turks disagree with their government treatment of Greek Cypriots, there are not enough of them outraged at what their government does in their name.

Outraged at that too? Or just full of double standards?

[KournikovaFan91]

So she's the first Israeli or Jew to apply for a Venezuelan visa since Chavez came to power That's plausible.

[tenn_ace]

Originally Posted by ptkten

No surprise, Venezuela is a backward dictatorship that deserves to be shunned. I'm pretty left wing but anyone who tries to defend Chavez and his authoritarian government has no idea what they're talking about.

Based on your post, it is you who doesn't know what you are talking about

[tenn_ace]

I want to move to Switzerland to work, but the Swiss will not grant the visa to me. How is this case different?

The Israelis need to get Bibi out of the office with his party and let Palestinians have their state, maybe then will be more welcome all over the world.

[tennisbum79]

Originally Posted by A Magicman

Outraged at that too? Or just full of double standards?

It is cute to edit my post to make your point, but what does Turkey has go to do with this thread.

I am not saying there is not a debate to have about Turkey, but THIS is not that thread.

[NAT]

Impossible to know the reason for the denial of a visa, but let's assume it is political. Generally I don't like the mixing of politics and sports, but maybe this is a necessary step. What Israel is doing is no less horrific than the Apartheid government in South Africa, and international sanctions against that country, including athletes, was once the norm. Nobody likes to see athletes suffer for policy they don't create, but maybe it is time for a message to be sent, that Israel's actions are not accepted by the world. Of course this will not work with the USA's unconditional support for Israel. Can we hope...? Yes we can.

[Petkorazzi]

Originally Posted by tenn_ace

I want to move to Switzerland to work, but the Swiss will not grant the visa to me. How is this case different?

The Israelis need to get Bibi out of the office with his party and let Palestinians have their state, maybe then will be more welcome all over the world.

Maybe because she needs a touristic visa for 2 weeks at most in Venezuela compared to you needing a working visa in Switzerland