Indonesia Violates International Rules by Banning Israeli Athletes From Gymnastics Championship, Lawyers Argue
by Shiryn Ghermezian
People take part in a protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza on the second anniversary of the war that began after Hamas’s attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, outside the US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Oct. 7, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Ajeng Dinar Ulfiana
Indonesia’s decision on Thursday to ban Israeli athletes from entering the country for an international gymnastics competition violates the rules of the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG), the governing body of gymnastics worldwide, according to an organization of British lawyers who support Israel.
On Friday, UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) wrote a letter, which The Algemeiner has obtained, to FIG’s President Morinari Watanabe about Indonesia’s announcement to deny entry visas to Israeli gymnasts for the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta taking place Oct. 19-25. UKLF reminded Watanbe that Article 26.4 of the FIG Statutes 2025 states: “Entry visas must be granted to the gymnasts/athletes and to the officials of all Member Federations. In the event that this requirement is not fulfilled, the allocation of the event would be canceled with immediate effect by the Executive Committee.”
If Indonesia – the world’s largest Muslim country – does not reverse its ban against Israeli athletes, then organizers must immediately cancel the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in line with FIG rules, UKLFI argued in its letter. UKLFI also noted that moving forward with the competition while excluding Israel could also potentially violate rules of the International Olympic Committee and French laws against discrimination, as well as other FIG rules prohibiting discrimination.
“There is no qualification or exception in this rule,” said a UKLFI spokesperson. “Nor can Indonesia’s refusal to grant visas be treated as an exceptional circumstance, since it is precisely the circumstance addressed by the rule. In light of rising antisemitism and the common desire of all countries to keep sports neutral, we urge FIG to comply with its own statutes, which clearly state that gymnasts and officials of all member federations must not be excluded.”
The Israeli team slated to compete in this year’s Artistic Gymnastics World Championships included 2020 Olympic gold medalist and defending world champion Artem Dolgopyat. The Israeli Gymnastics Federation said in July that Indonesian officials assured them they would be allowed to compete in the championship, according to the Associated Press. However, this week, Yusril Ihza Mahendra – Indonesia’s minister for law, human rights, and immigration – announced that Israeli athletes will be denied visas to enter Indonesia for the competition.
“The government will not grant visas to Israeli gymnasts who intend to attend the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta,” Mahendra said on Thursday. The decision was made following directives from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto – who recently condemned Israel for its ongoing military actions in the Gaza Strip during his speech in front of the UN General Assembly – as well as pressure from Indonesian politicians and MUI, Indonesia’s highest Islamic body, who called for Israeli athletes to be banned from the competition.
Mahendra said this week that the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation originally submitted a sponsorship letter for six Israeli athletes to obtain visas for the championships, but “the federation has withdrawn the sponsorship letter.”
In 2023, Indonesia was stripped of hosting rights for the Under-20 World Cup because of protests in the country regarding Israel’s participation in the international soccer competition. That same year, the ANOC World Beach Games was canceled after Indonesia abruptly pulled out as hosts in protest of Israel’s involvement.
