JAKARTA: The Indonesian government reaffirmed on Thursday its decision to bar Israeli gymnasts from participating in a world championship event held in Jakarta, after the International Olympic Committee said it was cutting off discussions about any potential Olympic Games bid by Indonesia.
Yusril Ihza Mahendra, Indonesia’s senior law minister, said earlier this month that the country would not grant visas for Israeli athletes competing at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, as part of its “commitment to supporting Palestinian independence.”
Indonesia’s ban was later upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which rejected appeals filed by the Israel Gymnastics Federation to guarantee its participation at the Jakarta event, which started on Sunday and runs through to Saturday, Oct. 25.
But the visa ban for Israelis sparked concerns for the IOC, leading to its executive board announcing on Wednesday that it was ending “any form of dialogue” with Indonesia about hosting future Olympic events, until Jakarta guarantees “that it will allow access to the country for all participants, regardless of nationality, to attend.”
The IOC also recommended global sports federations to cease holding events in the Southeast Asian country.
Indonesia, which has an active bid to host the 2036 summer games, understood the consequences of its decision, said Sports Minister Erick Thohir.
“Our decision is in line with applicable laws and regulations. This principle is also based on the 1945 constitution, which respects public order and security, as well as Indonesia’s obligation to uphold world order,” he wrote on X on Thursday.
“On that basis, Indonesia took steps to prevent the Israeli delegation from coming to the Gymnastics World Championships … Indonesia will continue to play an active role in various sports events at the Southeast Asian, Asian and global levels, so that Indonesian sports can serve as an ambassador and a reflection of the nation’s strength in the eyes of the world.”
The world’s most populous Muslim-majority country has long been a staunch supporter of Palestinians. It has no diplomatic ties with Israel, as the Indonesian government and people see Palestinian statehood as being mandated by their own constitution, which calls for the abolition of colonialism.
“The minister’s response is proof of the government’s consistent commitment to uphold our constitutional mandate … It also safeguards the nation’s sentiment, which strongly stands with the people of Palestine, especially during the ongoing genocide,” Muhammad Anshorullah, who heads the executive committee of the Jakarta-based Aqsa Working Group, told Arab News.
“I believe that hosting the Olympics isn’t the only way to boost our national sports, economy and tourism. What’s more important is to adhere to our constitution and fight against the Israeli Zionist’s occupation, a fight that is above everything else and one that we must not sacrifice for any other interest.”
Indonesia has consistently refused to host Israeli sports delegations, including in 1962 when Israel was denied entry to compete in the Asian Games held in Jakarta.
Indonesia was stripped of hosting rights for soccer’s Under-20 World Cup in 2023, only two months before the scheduled start of the tournament, following strong opposition and outrage from regional leaders and politicians against Israel’s participation.
