Shut Up and Go Away

For the second year in a row, Shahar Pe'er is being harassed by protesters at the ASB Classic.

"The New Zealand protest group Global Peace and Justice earlier 

  Tuesday said it had written to Peer, 22, asking her to withdraw
  from the tournament "as a demonstration of your commitment to
  peace."

Shit like this makes me so angry.  How in God's name is Shahar supposed to prove her commitment to peace in the Middle East by withdrawing from a tennis tournament in New Zealand?  It's completely nonsensical.  She's not there competing in support of her government's policies; since it's not an ITF event, she's not even there particularly on behalf of her country.  She's there because she's a professional athlete whose job it is to play tennis.  This is not rocket science, people.

"The group said it opposes Israel's treatment of Palestinians and
  advocates a sporting boycott of Israel...

"Global Peace and Justice said sporting boycotts were 'more visible
 than a trade or investment boycott and can have an important
 psychological impact.  We saw this with the successful sports boycotts
 against apartheid (in) South Africa.'"

These people are morons.  The sports boycott against South Africa was imposed by international governing bodies.  It did not consist of individual South African athletes refusing to represent their country because they were disgusted by the government.  They're probably aiming for an international ban, but expecting that in the meantime individual Israeli athletes should give up their livelihoods is completely imbecilic.  Especially when competing on completely neutral ground.  The tournament is in Auckland, not on disputed settlement territory in the West Bank.

"'Because of your high profile in Israel you could assist peace efforts
  greatly by speaking out against Israeli government policy. Your silence
  will indicate to us your sympathy with (the Israeli government),' the
  letter said."

[facepalm]