Despite lack of diplomatic relations, Israel offered to welcome the Indonesian team with open arms.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFshahar peer 298.88(photo credit: Associated Press)
Despite making an official request to have its upcoming Fed Cup tie, scheduled to be played in Israel, moved to a neutral site, the Indonesian Tennis Federation is making plans to play in Ramat Hasharon.
Last month, Indonesia was drawn to face Israel in the World Group II playoffs on July 15-16, but immediately made it known that because the country did not have diplomatic relations with Israel, its tennis federation would not bring the team here.
However, on Sunday, the Israel Tennis Association revealed that it had received an e-mail signed by the secretary-general of the Indonesian Tennis Federation, Soebronto Laras, requesting information on security for his players.
"We have no diplomatic relation[s] with your country, so if we have to play in Israel, can you arrange that our team/players... enter and guarantee their security," Laras wrote.
ITA president Dr. Ian Froman, who received the e-mail from Laras, thanked him for contacting the ITA and responded that Israel would welcome the Indonesian side with open arms.
Froman said the ITA would take care of all security and transportation matters and put the visiting squad up in a five-star hotel.
The ITA is now awaiting a response from Laras.
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