Sports court weighs Indonesia’s ban on Israeli gymnasts
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to deliver a ruling by 14th October, on whether Israeli athletes will be allowed to compete at this month’s World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Indonesia, following the government’s decision to deny them entry visas as reported by The New Arab on 14th October.
Israel has appealed to CAS, requesting that the court compel the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and Indonesia’s federation to “guarantee the participation of the Israeli team in the world championships or to move or cancel these championships,” a CAS spokesperson told AFP on 13th October.
The championships, scheduled for October 19–25, will bring together more than 500 gymnasts from 79 nations in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country. Israeli athletes were among those registered to compete, but last week an Indonesian cabinet minister said the government would block their entry, citing solidarity with Palestinians.
Indonesia’s gymnastics federation confirmed the decision on 10th October. “The FIG today has officially stated through a phone call to me that they supported the Indonesian government’s decision,” said federation chairwoman Ita Yuliati. “Their (the Israeli athletes’) visas have been rejected by the immigration,” she added.
FIG acknowledged the move, saying it “takes note of the Indonesian government’s decision not to issue visas to the Israeli delegation” and recognised “the challenges that the host country has faced in organising this event.” FIG added that it hoped conditions would soon allow “athletes around the world to enjoy sports safely and with peace of mind.”
Indonesia does not maintain formal diplomatic ties with Israel, though limited entry is possible under the “calling visa” scheme for Israeli nationals or sponsors based in Indonesia. Israeli citizens with dual nationality can also enter using another passport.
The dispute highlights long-running political sensitivities surrounding Israeli participation in regional sporting events. In 2023, Indonesia withdrew from hosting the ANOC World Beach Games after protests over Israel’s planned attendance. Earlier that year, FIFA stripped Indonesia of the U-20 World Cup, citing similar objections from provincial governors opposed to Israeli involvement.
The case before CAS raises broader questions about the role of politics in global sport — and whether event hosts can deny participation based on nationality or political stance.
This controversy mirrors wider tensions in international sport, where issues of access, diplomacy, and ethics increasingly overlap. A related report by Maghrebi.org on global sports politicisation highlights how sporting arenas have become extensions of foreign policy debates.
The ruling could set a precedent: if CAS sides with Israel, host nations may face stricter accountability under international sporting law. If Indonesia’s stance is upheld, however, it could embolden other governments to restrict athletes for political reasons — something observers warn could deepen global divisions.
For Indonesia, the decision also comes as it navigates a delicate balance between supporting Palestinian rights and maintaining its growing international sports profile. Analysts note that Jakarta’s stance reflects public sentiment, especially amid ongoing regional outrage over the conflict in Gaza — an issue covered extensively by Maghrebi.org’s Gaza war reports.
The New Arab Via AFP; Maghrebi.org
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