Israeli rally star races in Dubai after Qatar blocks her entry

An Israeli motorsport champion will compete in this week’s Dubai International Baja – just weeks after being prevented from entering Qatar, costing her crucial world-ranking points.

Alona Ben Natan, 36, currently leads the women’s category of the global Baja World Cup series and is one of the most prominent Israeli athletes on the international rally circuit. She is the first Israeli woman to compete in major rallies in Morocco and the UAE and recently became the first Israeli member of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) Women’s Committee.

Her season had been on track for a clean run to the title until she was due to race in Qatar three weeks ago. Despite a formal request from the sport’s governing body, she says organisers never issued her a visa, forcing her withdrawal and wiping out valuable points. “I was very upset,” she said. “Sport should be a neutral zone.”

She lands in Dubai under markedly different circumstances. The UAE has allowed her entry but with discreet security measures in place. “The organiser called me and asked if it was okay not to display my nationality during the race,” she said. “I understood immediately. Safety comes first.” She emphasises, however, that she will not hide who she is. “I’m proud of being Israeli and I’m proud that I’m Jewish. It doesn’t matter what’s going on around.”

Her competitive record this year includes wins in Portugal’s Baja TT Castelo Branco and an overall victory in the FIM Baja World Cup standings to date. She began off-road racing only six years ago, climbed rapidly through the European circuit and now receives messages from young girls who view her as a role model. “I feel like an ambassador,” she said. “That’s what keeps me going.”

Ben Natan says the spirit of the sports still outweighs politics. She trains alongside riders from Lebanon, Russia, the UAE and Europe. “We are all human,” she said. “When we race together, we forget about politics.”

But the aftermath of 7 October has followed her across continents. She was racing in Portugal that day and describes “complete shock” as reports reached her from home. Friends have since been killed. She has lost followers online and received hostile messages. “I come to every race as an athlete, very neutral,” she said. “I don’t enter provocations.’

The Dubai International Baja runs 20-23 November. A strong result could still secure her the world title despite the lost Qatar points. Her guiding philosophy remains unchanged: “We all want peace. We all have families at home. Just be polite, smile, enjoy, and give good energy and vibes.”