Lebanese 8-year-old chess player Loren Abdel Samad withdrew from two scheduled matches against 'Israeli' opponents during the World Youth Chess Championship for the under-eight age category, held in Batumi, Georgia, from June 14-27, 2026 – according to a report on Lebanese media The withdrawals resulted in automatic losses and cost her points that could have influenced her final standing in the tournament, the reports said. Family cites personal stance According to her family speaking to Lebanese media, Abdel Samad chose not to face the 'Israeli' players despite knowing the decision would affect her tournament score. Her father, Bassam Abdel Samad, told local media that his daughter "withdrew from the games against two Israeli players intentionally." He added that she closely follows the news and has seen "the destruction of homes and the targeting of children." "Even if Lebanese law allowed her to play against the Israeli players, she would not have done so," he said, adding that she holds a firm personal position despite her young age. Rising young talent Before competing at the World Youth Chess Championship, Abdel Samad had already built an impressive record in Lebanon. She won first place in the Lebanese American University (LAU) Chess Championship and claimed the Lebanese Chess Federation title in her age category. After returning to Beirut, the young player is preparing to compete in the 2026 Lebanese Chess Championship.

Lebanese 8-year-old chess player Loren Abdel Samad withdrew from two scheduled matches against ‘Israeli’ opponents during the World Youth Chess Championship for the under-eight age category, held in Batumi, Georgia, from June 14-27, 2026 – according to a report on Lebanese media

The withdrawals resulted in automatic losses and cost her points that could have influenced her final standing in the tournament, the reports said. Family cites personal stance

According to her family speaking to Lebanese media, Abdel Samad chose not to face the ‘Israeli’ players despite knowing the decision would affect her tournament score.

  • 秦始皇帝@lemmy.ml
    5·
    15 days ago

    Yet conflict is nearly impossible between them. They are too economically en culturally intertwined.

    And we’re back to the fact that they’re client states who aren’t allowed have real conflict

    Japan and the US

    Japan is a US client state obviously not going to bite its masters hand.

    Poland and Germany.

    Again both us client states.

    As uncomfortable as it seems for the propaganda and religion riddled middle east, the only solution for peace with Israel is for the region to be politically and culturally integrated.

    Or the genocidal settler colonial ethno state that’s been destabilising the region for generations could go the way of Rhodesia and Apartheid South Africa.

    That is why I think boycotting cultural events is counter productive. It just serves the elites to keep people divided.

    Yes I’m sure you’d also talk down to a Jewish child refusing to partake in a chess match in Nazi Germany in the 30s/40s for dividing the working class.