Refusal to Normalize Relations: Lebanese Player Sally Hamadeh Withdraws from World Chess Championship

Lebanese chess player Sally Hamadeh withdrew from the fifth round of the World Chess Championship for age categories in Georgia, refusing normalization after she was drawn against an Israeli player. The head of the Lebanese delegation, Major Jamal Shamieh, commented on Hamadeh’s withdrawal, stating that "the withdrawal was due to the nationality of the player she was supposed to face, who is Israeli," adding: "No recognition of the enemy, nor normalization with the occupying aggressor." Hamadeh's withdrawal comes after player Sherbel Abu Daher withdrew from the World Mixed Martial Arts Championship in Abu Dhabi, refusing to face an Israeli competitor, as did his compatriot Abdullah Maniato, who withdrew from the same tournament held in Bulgaria last year. Player Nadia Fawaz also withdrew from the fourth round of the Abu Dhabi International Open Festival in protest against normalization after she was drawn to face an Israeli player.