Shahar Peer was involved in an angry exchange with disappointed fans after Israel failed to return to the Federation Cup World Group, finishing fifth in the 15-team Europe/Africa Group A tournament in Eilat.

Peer said: "Would it make them happy if I stopped representing Israel? Where would the country be then? We lost to Poland who were a very tough team."

Peer's defeat to World No. 10 Agnieszka Radwanska prevented Israel from reaching the playoff despite victories over Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Romania. Julia Glushko (205) impressed, winning three of her four matches against players in the top 200.

Amid tight security, Peer now travels to the UAE for the Dubai Tennis Championships. Excluded from the tournament two years ago because she is Israeli, the international furore forced the tournament organisers to allow her to compete last year and despite virtually being kept in solitary confinement between matches, she reached the semi-finals where she lost to Venus Williams - her best tournament performance in 2010.