Indonesia will ban the performance of the Israeli team at the World Gymnastics Championship in Jakarta

At the upcoming World Gymnastics Championships, which start on October 19, 2025, in Jakarta, Israel will not be able to participate. This statement was made by Indonesian officials, citing support for their decision from the international sports federation.

The refusal to issue visas to Israeli athletes is justified by the reaction of the population in a country with the largest Muslim population. For many years, Indonesia has positioned itself as a staunch defender of the Palestinian people.

In the championship, where 86 countries are registered, Israel was represented by a strong team, including the 2020 Olympic champion Artem Dolgopyat in the horizontal bar exercise. However, his participation in the competition is in doubt after the Israeli Gymnastics Federation, which previously received guarantees from Indonesian authorities, now faces an official demand for refusal.

The Israeli team will not be admitted

Indonesia’s Minister of Justice Yusril Ihza Mahendra clearly stated that Israeli gymnasts will not be admitted to the country. This statement was made against the backdrop of recent peaceful efforts to exchange prisoners between Israel and Hamas.

Support for the decision

Mahendra emphasized that the refusal is based on previous instructions from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who in his speeches at the UN General Assembly condemned Israel’s attacks on Gaza.

The president stated the need to respect Israel’s right to security, but the main emphasis was on supporting the Palestinian people, as evidenced by actively ongoing campaigns and protests in the country.

Correspondence with the international federation

The Indonesian Gymnastics Federation confirmed its position and informed the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) that visas would not be issued to Israeli athletes. Federation officials added that the Israeli side had previously applied for a visa, which was subsequently withdrawn.

“We have informed the international federation, and it supports our decision,” said the chairwoman of the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation Ita Yuliati at a press conference.

Public opinion

Indonesian politicians and representatives of moderate Muslim groups are increasingly calling for a ban on the Israeli team at competitions, which also reflects public opinion actively discussed on social media. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anug noted that the arrival of Israeli athletes would cause public outrage and negative emotions.

Indonesia’s historical position

For decades, Indonesia has strictly adhered to the principle of non-recognition of Israeli delegations at international sporting events. Since 1962, when Israel and Taiwan were excluded from participation in the Asian Games in Jakarta, the country’s policy has remained unchanged.

“This is not just animosity or isolation; it reflects Indonesia’s deep conviction that no sporting event should legitimize a regime that contradicts fundamental human rights,” emphasizes Muhammad Zulfikar Rahmat, a researcher at the Center for Economic and Legal Studies.

Recent events confirm that Indonesian society is not ready to accept Israeli athletes amid growing international criticism over the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The latest tragedies and conflicts urgently require a clear position from the entire Muslim world.