Saudi ban on Israeli chess players underscores limits of Gulf Relations – Seven competitors barred from international tournament were the latest pawns in a larger geopolitical game | Timesofisrael
Israeli athletes have a long history of being discriminated against by Arab countries. They are denied entry to them or forbidden from flying the Israeli flag and playing the national anthem during competitions; opponents forfeit matches against them or refuse to shake their hands.
Sacha Stawski
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12/26/head-english-chess-calls-saudi-arabia-stripped-world-speed-championships/