The Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas has hailed Lebanese table tennis player Bissan Chiri for withdrawing from the World Table Tennis (WTT) Youth Star Contender Vila Nova de Gaia 2022 tournament held in Portugal to avoid facing an Israeli counterpart. 

Hamas spokesperson Jihad Taha Saturday praised Chiri's decision as an "honourable Arab position that reflects the Lebanese people's genuine sense of belonging" for the Palestinian cause. 

In a press statement, Taha emphasised that such a move confirms that Arab and Muslim generations refuse all forms of normalisation with the Israeli occupation.