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An Israeli tennis player jeered when she played in Auckland last month has been barred from competing in a tournament in the United Arab Emirates.
Shahar Peer, a 21-year-old who was the subject of protests by spectators at the ASB Classic, was refused a visa to play in the Dubai Tennis Championships.
A statement by the organisers, Dubai Duty Free, which is owned by the UAE Government, confirmed that the visa had not been granted but gave no explanation.
There will inevitably be speculation that the decision was a response to Israel's attacks on Gaza.
The Women's Tennis Association said it was "deeply disappointed" by the decision and hinted that it might scrap the tournament in future years.
Last year, Peer became the first Israeli to compete in a professional women's tennis event in a Gulf state when she played in the Qatar Open in Doha.
Her brother, Shlomi Peer, said yesterday that she had applied for a visa for the UAE months in advance and been assured by the tournament that she would be allowed entry.
The UAE has no diplomatic ties with Israel, but some Israelis have entered the emirates for sporting and business events, using passports issued elsewhere.
Israeli passport holders have also attended meetings there organised by the United Nations or other international agencies.
The ruling families of the United Arab Emirates donate millions of dollars to Palestinian causes every year. Dubai banned New Year celebrations this year as a gesture of solidarity with Gazans.
Peer played in Auckland as the Israeli attacks on Gaza reached their height in January. She was given extra security for her second round match after an Auckland-based protest group urged her to withdraw from the tournament because of the military action.
"I have nothing to do with this," Peer said at the time. "I'm Shahar Peer. I came here to play tennis."
