The Indonesian government has made a new political decision regarding Israel — Israeli athletes will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships, reports AP.
According to Indonesia’s Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, the government has decided not to issue visas to Israeli gymnasts planning to attend the competition in Jakarta. He emphasized that this stance aligns with the country’s long-standing foreign policy.
“The Indonesian government will not grant visas to Israeli gymnasts to participate in the World Championships to be held in Jakarta,” the minister said in a statement to national media.
Reports indicate that the Israel Gymnastics Federation expressed its disapproval of the decision, calling the move by the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation “outrageous and unjust.” The federation also stated that it intends to file an official complaint with international sports organizations.
Indonesia, in turn, explained that the measure was taken due to Israel’s ongoing military actions in the Gaza Strip. According to official information, the Israeli national team was scheduled to compete in the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta from October 19 to 25.
Minister Mahendra added that the decision was based on objections from several domestic groups, including the Council of Islamic Scholars and the Jakarta local government. These groups deemed granting visas to Israeli athletes “contrary to public and cultural values.”
Mahendra further noted that this policy is consistent with Indonesia’s long-standing diplomatic stance: the country will not establish relations with Israel until Palestine’s full independence and sovereignty are recognized.
This move has sparked mixed reactions within the international sports community. Some insist that sports should remain separate from politics, while others support Indonesia’s decision to uphold its national principles.
Thus, even before it began, the World Championships in Jakarta became a focal point of diplomatic controversy, once again blurring the line between sports and politics.
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