Indonesian Sports Minister Defends Visa Denial to Israeli Gymnasts

Indonesian Sports Minister Erick Thohir reacted to the recent global backlash and consequences of the Israeli national gymnastics team’s visa denial for the world championships in Jakarta.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended this week that no international sporting events be held in Indonesia, adding that it was ending all discussions with the country regarding hosting the Olympics in the future following the decision to exclude the Israel team.

Thohir defended his country’s decision in a statement on Thursday.

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Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir addresses a press conference in his office in Jakarta, October 24, 2025. (Aditya Irawan/AFP)

“We adhere to the principle of maintaining security, public order and public interest by hosting every international event,” Thohir said.

At a press conference on Friday, Thohir gave a more elaborate response.

“This is indeed part of maintaining the dignity of our nation, in accordance with the 1945 constitution,” he said via Indonesian media Detikcom. “We have to be an independent nation, but, at the same time, we also have to be a nation that maintains global security. … This is something that is still under discussion.”

Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country and has long been a staunch supporter of the Palestinians. The planned participation of Israeli athletes has sparked intense opposition in the country.

Indonesia had already been stripped of its right to host the Under-20 FIFA World Cup when the governor of Bali refused to host Team Israel in a match in 2023. In July of the same year, Indonesia withdrew from hosting the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) World Beach Games following controversy over Israel’s participation.

Morinari Watanabe, the president of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), spoke out and addressed the issue on Saturday during the world championships.

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Team Israel competes in the rhythmic gymnastics group all-around final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Porte de la Chapelle arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

“I agree with the IOC’s statement,” Watanabe said. “Sport is distinct from politics. All athletes have the same right to participate in sporting events. The IOC and FIG must protect this right. It is for the Olympic charter that we are writing.”

Watanabe added that the FIG “deeply regrets” the lack of protection for Israeli gymnasts, but expressed respect for the Indonesian government’s decision.

“We at FIG deeply regret that we cannot protect the rights of a country’s athletes this time. But, on the other hand, with the changing global situation, how to protect participating athletes is a challenge,” he said. “The Indonesian government told us that this is a measure to ensure the safety of participating athletes, including athletes from one country, as well as residents of the city of Jakarta. So the reason is not political. This is what we hear.”

The Indonesian sanctions are just the latest example of restrictions imposed on Israeli sports teams and fans in recent months.

THE Israeli Prime Minister The Tech cycling team has been excluded from an upcoming race in Italy, the Giro dell’Emilia, scheduled for October 4, due to potentially disruptive pro-Palestinian protests.

The UEFA Europa League, Europe’s biggest soccer body, was reportedly preparing to vote in September on whether to suspend Israel over the war in Gaza.

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that no action would be taken against the team on October 3. He then reportedly met privately at FIFA headquarters with Palestinian football federation leader Jibril Rajoub and praised his organization “for its resilience at this time,” according to the Associated Press.

Fans of Israeli teams have also been excluded from recent major events.

Lovers of the Israeli The Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team is barred from attending a Europa League match in Birmingham, England, on November 6 for security reasons, after its fans were attacked in Amsterdam during a match against Ajax last fall.

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