Indonesia has denied visas to Israeli gymnasts, preventing them from competing in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships scheduled to take place in Jakarta from October 19–25, 2025. Officials confirmed that the athletes will not be attending, citing the country’s long-standing policy of withholding recognition of Israel until Palestine achieves full independence and sovereignty.
The decision follows strong objections from religious leaders, political groups, and civil society organizations, reflecting widespread domestic support for the Palestinian cause. Senior government officials emphasized that the move is consistent with Indonesia’s foreign policy stance, which prioritizes solidarity with Palestine.
The refusal comes amid heightened global criticism of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths since October 2023. Public sentiment in Indonesia has been overwhelmingly pro-Palestinian, with social media platforms flooded by calls to block Israeli participation in the event.
President Prabowo Subianto has recently adopted a more nuanced tone, acknowledging both the need for an independent Palestine and the importance of ensuring Israel’s security. However, the visa denial underscores Jakarta’s continued alignment with its traditional diplomatic position.
This is not the first time sports have been caught in the middle of political disputes between the two nations. In 2023, Indonesia lost hosting rights to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup after refusing to host Israel’s team. The latest decision once again highlights how international sports remain deeply entangled with geopolitics, particularly in regions where public opinion strongly favors Palestine.
+ There are no comments
Add yours