Elham Asaad Buaras
Indonesia vowed to play an “active role” in global sports, striking a defiant tone after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) urged international federations to strip the country of future events because of its ban on Israeli athletes at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
The IOC’s executive board said on October 22 it would “recommend to all international federations not to host any international sports events or meetings in Indonesia” until it provides guarantees over non-discriminatory access for all participants.
The board also ended dialogue with the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation on hosting any future Olympic events. The move came in direct response to Indonesia’s denial of entry visas for the Israeli gymnastics team, a decision that has cast a long shadow over the ongoing championships in Jakarta. In a show of resolve, Indonesia’s Sports and Youth Minister Erick Thohir stated that Jakarta was aware its ban on Israelis “carries consequences.”
But he wrote on X: “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.”Minister Thohir justified the decision by stating the government adheres “to the principle of maintaining security, public order and public interest in every international event organised.”
The IOC’s sanction is the latest and most severe international repercussion from the visa ban, which was confirmed by a senior security minister on October 9. The Israeli Gymnastics Federation appealed the ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but its case was rejected.
The government’s position, which aligns with Indonesia’s long-standing support for the Palestinian cause, followed intensified calls from domestic politicians and influential Muslim groups to exclude the Israeli team. This sentiment was fueled by public outrage over the war in Gaza.
This is the third major sporting event Indonesia has lost or withdrawn from over the issue of Israeli participation. The country pulled out of hosting the 2023 World Beach Games and lost the hosting rights to the 2023 FIFA Under-20 World Cup after local governors objected to Israel’s involvement.
The current gymnastics championships, however, mark the first time a major event has proceeded with the Israeli team explicitly barred, triggering the unprecedented response from the IOC.
