Indonesia sports minister defends denying visas to Israeli gymnasts

Indonesian Sports activities Minister Erick Thohir has responded to the current international reactions and penalties of denying visas to the Israeli nationwide gymnastics group for the world championships in Jakarta.

The Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) this week really helpful that no worldwide sporting occasions be held in Indonesia, including that it’s ending all discussions with the nation about internet hosting the Olympic Video games sooner or later following the choice to ban Workforce Israel.

Thohir defended his nation’s determination in a press release on Thursday.

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Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports activities Erick Thohir addresses a press convention at his workplace in Jakarta, October 24, 2025. (Aditya Iran/AFP)

“We adhere to the precept of sustaining safety, public order and public curiosity in organizing any worldwide occasion,” Thohir stated.

Throughout a press convention on Friday, Thohir gave a extra detailed response.

“That is certainly a part of preserving the dignity of our nation in accordance with the 1945 Structure,” he stated by way of Indonesian medium Detikcom. “We should be an impartial nation, however on the similar time we should even be a nation that maintains international safety. … That is one thing that’s nonetheless up for debate.”

Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation and has lengthy been a staunch supporter of the Palestinians. The deliberate participation of Israeli athletes had sparked fierce opposition within the nation.

Indonesia was beforehand stripped of the precise to host the Underneath-20 World Cup when Bali’s governor refused to host Workforce Israel in a match in 2023. In July of the identical yr, Indonesia withdrew from internet hosting the Affiliation of Nationwide Olympic Committees (ANOC) World Seashore Video games after controversy over Israel’s participation.

Morinari Watanabe, the president of the Worldwide Gymnastics Federation (FIG), spoke out and mentioned the problem on the world championships on Saturday.

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Workforce Israel competes through the rhythmic gymnastics group all-around closing on the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games at Porte de La Chapelle Enviornment, August 10, 2024 in Paris. (Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs)

“I agree [with] the IOC’s assertion,” Watanabe stated. “Sport is separate from politics. All athletes have an equal proper to take part within the sporting occasion. The IOC and the FIG should defend that proper. That is for the Olympic constitution we’re writing.”

Watanabe added that FIG “deeply regrets” the shortage of safety for the Israeli gymnasts, however expressed its respect for the Indonesian authorities’s determination.

“At FIG, we deeply remorse that this time we’re unable to guard the rights of 1 nation’s athletes. However then again, as the worldwide state of affairs modifications, it’s a problem to guard collaborating athletes,” he stated. “We heard from the Indonesian authorities that this was a measure to make sure the security of collaborating athletes, together with the athletes of 1 nation, and likewise individuals from the town of Jakarta. So the reason being not political. That is what we hear[ing].”

The sanction towards Indonesia is simply the newest instance of the restrictions imposed on Israeli sports activities groups and followers in current months.

The Israel Prime Minister The technical biking group has been banned from an upcoming race in Italy, the Giro dell’Emilia, scheduled for October 4, because of doubtlessly disruptive pro-Palestinian protests.

The UEFA Europa League, Europe’s largest soccer group, was reportedly heading for a vote to droop Israel over the struggle in Gaza in September.

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino introduced on October 3 that no motion can be taken towards the group. He reportedly later met privately with Palestinian Soccer Federation chief Jibril Rajoub at FIFA headquarters and praised his group “for his or her resilience right now,” based on The Related Press.

Followers of Israeli groups have additionally been banned from current main occasions.

Followers of the Israeli soccer group Maccabi Tel Aviv is not going to be allowed to attend a Europa League match in Birmingham, England, on November 6 because of safety considerations after the group’s followers had been attacked in Amsterdam throughout a match towards Ajax final fall.

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