Indonesian authorities have officially denied visas to athletes from "Israel" who were set to compete at the upcoming World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta, citing national solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

The event, scheduled to begin on October 19, had registered participants from 86 countries, including "Israel," whose team featured 2020 Olympic gold medalist Artem Dolgopyat.

The Indonesian government confirmed the decision on Friday, amid mounting domestic opposition and widespread calls to bar the Israeli delegation from participating in international sports hosted by the country.

According to Indonesian officials, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has expressed support for Indonesia’s decision. "The FIG today has officially stated through a phone call to me that they supported the Indonesian government’s decision," said Ita Yuliati, chairwoman of the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation, during a press conference.

She added that the federation had initially submitted a sponsorship letter for six Israeli athletes but later withdrew the letter in accordance with government policy. FIG has yet to issue a public response.

Government officials cite solidarity with Palestine

Senior Minister of Law Yusril Ihza Mahendra declared that no visas would be granted to the Israeli team.

Mahendra emphasized that the move aligns with directives issued by President Prabowo Subianto, who, in a recent speech at the UN General Assembly, condemned "Israel’s" ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip. 

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Despite the nuanced tone, officials maintain that hosting Israeli athletes contradicts Indonesia’s long-standing foreign policy stance.

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung echoed the decision, stating that the arrival of Israeli athletes would provoke public outrage and emotional distress, given the genocide in Gaza. “Their presence would obviously spark public outrage in such a situation,” he told reporters.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the country’s highest Islamic authority, also called for the exclusion of the Israeli team. “By refusing to allow ‘Israeli’ athletes to compete in the sporting arena, we want to state that all forms of colonialism must be abolished,” said MUI Secretary General Amirsyah Tambunan.

Backlash and international repercussions

Indonesia is prepared to face any consequences stemming from its decision. Raja Sapta Oktohari, head of Indonesia’s Olympic committee, said the country would "review the consequences after the event." Indonesia has expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games, and its stance on "Israel" could affect that bid.

This development adds to the growing international backlash against "Israel" over its genocide in Gaza. In other sporting arenas, the Israel Premier Tech cycling team recently dropped its national branding after being excluded from an Italian race due to fears of protests. Meanwhile, "Israel’s" upcoming World Cup qualifier against Italy is expected to draw large-scale pro-Palestinian demonstrations, continuing the trend of political protest in global sports.

Indonesia’s refusal to host Israeli delegations is not new. In 2023, the country was stripped of hosting rights for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup just two months before kickoff due to political opposition over "Israel’s" inclusion. The policy dates back to the 1962 Asian Games, when Jakarta excluded both "Israel" and Taiwan.

"This stance was never about pettiness or isolationism," said Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat, a researcher at the Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS). “It was a reflection of Indonesia’s conviction that no sporting event should legitimize an apartheid state.”