Abu Dhabi says that it will not allow the Israeli national judo team to compete in a major tournament that will have a strong impact on the choice of competitors for next year's Olympic Games.
Over 500 athletes, representing 83 countries, signed up for the tournament, and Ynet reports that most have already received their visas. Israel's 15-person delegation includes include Yarden Gerbi, the former women's world champion, and Sagi Moki, the men's European champion.
Israeli judokas also made the news this past May, after they were almost turned back at a Moroccan airport under similar circumstances.