Jakarta: Indonesia on Thursday dismissed warnings from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after the decision to deny visas to Israeli athletes for the World Gymnastics Championships, citing the ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza.
According to Anadolu Agency, Indonesian Sports and Youth Minister Erick Thohir addressed the situation via the social media platform X, acknowledging the potential repercussions of the visa denial. Earlier this month, the Indonesian government announced its decision to bar Israeli athletes from the championships set to take place from October 19-25 in Jakarta.
In response to this decision, the IOC issued a statement on Wednesday recommending that all International Federations refrain from holding sports events in Indonesia until the country ensures access to all participants, irrespective of their nationality.
Thohir, however, reiterated Indonesia's commitment to participating in sports events at various levels, emphasizing the country's role as an ambassador and a reflection of national strength. He mentioned that the decision to deny visas is in line with Indonesia's laws and the 1945 Constitution, which mandates the nation to contribute to maintaining world order.
The minister further explained that Indonesia prioritizes security, public order, and public interest in organizing international events, which led to the decision to exclude the Israeli delegation from the Gymnastics World Championships.
Jakarta's stance has sparked criticism towards the IOC, which faces allegations of double standards. While the IOC banned Russian athletes from participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics due to the conflict in Ukraine, Israeli athletes were allowed to compete under their national flag despite the ongoing violence in Gaza.
During the 2024 Paris Olympics, 87 Israeli athletes participated under their national banner, even as Palestinian sports facilities were targeted amid the conflict. Palestinian officials report that more than 800 athletes have been killed in Gaza since the onset of Israeli military actions on October 7, 2023, with the sports community suffering from the destruction of infrastructure and resources.
The Gaza Health Ministry has reported over 68,000 fatalities and more than 170,000 injuries due to the conflict since October 2023. A ceasefire, based on a phased plan introduced by US President Donald Trump, took effect on October 10 in Gaza.