"Israel" has been banned from competing in the International Ice Hockey Federation's world championship competitions for what the federation coined "security concerns".

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the IIHF said after extensive contemplation of possible risks and discussions with participating countries and hosts, it was decided that the Israeli team would not be participating "until the safety and well-being of all participants (including Israeli participants) can be assured."

The duration of "Israel's" suspension was left unclear, with IIHF saying it was "for the time being."

This year, the Israeli men's team was competing in the Division II-A world championship hosted by Serbia in April, while the women's team was competing in the Division III-B hosted by Estonia in March.

The Federation did not relate its decision to the Israeli genocide in Gaza and did not mention whether any of "Israel's" competitors, including the UAE and Indonesia, objected to competing against its teams.

This is reminiscent of the IIHF's policy when the Ukranian-Russian war broke out. Russia and Belarus were also barred from participating for safety reasons and have not been allowed back in since. 

Indonesians protest 'Israel's' participation in U-20 FIFA World Cup

Dozens of Indonesians previously marched in the country's capital, Jakarta, to protest the Israeli occupation's participation in the FIFA World Cup Under-20 was set to be hosted by Indonesia from May 20 to June 11.

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After a two-year delay due to COVID-19 restrictions, a total of 23 countries and "Israel" participated in the championship.

Indonesia does not have formal diplomatic relations with the Israeli occupation and is a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause. However, the government did not prevent “Israel” from taking part in the tournament.

Waving Indonesian and Palestinian flags, more than 100 demonstrators gathered in a thoroughfare in downtown Jakarta, calling for the Israeli athletes to be denied a spot in the coming championship.

"Israel’s long history of oppression against the Palestinian people motivates us to strongly reject Israel’s presence in any form in Indonesia," one protester pointed out, as quoted by the Associated Press.

Indonesia was later removed as host of 2023's under-20 World Cup, FIFA announced, after the draw was canceled following protests over the participation of the Israeli occupation in the tournament.

It's only fair

"Israel", on the other hand, has not shown any respect for sportsmanship.

The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) confirmed that Israeli occupation forces killed 85 Palestinian athletes, including 55 football players and 30 individuals engaged in various other sports disciplines, in the period spanning from October 7 to December 6.

In a comprehensive report, the PFA mentioned that during their ongoing aggression, Israeli occupation forces targeted Palestinian sports facilities and athletes, including football players, as well as club presidents, administrators, referees, and other sports figures.

The report revealed that among the football players killed at the hands of Israeli occupation forces, 18 were children and 37 were youths, including two in the occupied West Bank. Additionally, four players sustained injuries in the Gaza Strip.

According to the PFA's report, Israeli airstrikes destroyed nine sports facilities, with four located in the occupied West Bank and five in Gaza.

This little Palestinian kid had big dreams; he wanted to become a football player just like @Cristiano, but Israeli missiles destroyed his home and dreams altogether. pic.twitter.com/zkyNMkx6Tf

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 20, 2023