Indonesia has reaffirmed its decision to prohibit Israeli athletes from participating in the upcoming World Gymnastics Championships on its soil, a move that has drawn strong disapproval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Erick Thohir, Indonesia’s Minister of Education and Sports, addressed the IOC’s concerns directly after the global sports body cautioned international federations against staging events in the Southeast Asian nation following the ban.
The Indonesian government cited significant safety and security concerns as the primary reason for denying entry to Israeli athletes. This stance is rooted in Indonesia’s historical position, marked by its lack of diplomatic relations with Israel and its strong, unwavering support for the Palestinian people. Instances of Israeli athletes’ participation in international events elsewhere have previously led to protests and even violence, such as in cycling and football competitions held in Spain, Italy, and Norway, providing a precedent for Indonesia’s precautionary measures to maintain public order.
In response to Indonesia’s refusal, the IOC released a stern statement urging major international sports federations to reconsider holding future competitions in the country. Furthermore, the IOC indicated that it would suspend all ongoing discussions regarding Indonesia’s prospective bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympic Games. These potential punitive measures are a direct consequence of Indonesia’s government declining to issue travel visas to the Israeli gymnastics delegation.
Minister Erick Thohir, who also serves as the President of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), articulated Indonesia’s resolute position. In a public statement shared via social media, Thohir emphasized Indonesia’s commitment to continue playing an active and contributing role in organizing various sports events at regional (ASEAN), Asian, and global levels. He underscored the nation’s adherence to the principle of ensuring public safety and security for all international sporting spectacles. “At this point, Indonesia must choose steps to avoid the arrival of Israeli athlete delegations at the World Gymnastics Championships,” Thohir stated, clarifying the necessity of their decision.
Despite the IOC’s warning, the Indonesian Olympic Committee has indicated that negotiations regarding the country’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics are proceeding as planned, suggesting a degree of complexity in the diplomatic fallout. However, this is not the first time Indonesia has faced such consequences. In 2023, the nation was stripped of its rights to host the World Beach Games following a similar controversy over Israeli participation. Later that same year, Indonesia also lost the opportunity to host the FIFA U20 World Cup after its government refused to allow Israel’s team to compete. Both these significant events occurred prior to the most recent escalation of conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, underscoring a long-standing pattern in Indonesia’s foreign policy.
