Indonesia announced it had banned Israeli gymnasts from the world championships to maintain “public order and security.”
Published October 23, 2025
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has asked the world sports federation not to hold any sporting events in Indonesia after Israeli athletes were barred from participating in the world gymnastics championships in Jakarta, but the host country said the decision was made to “maintain public order.”
The IOC Executive Board issued a statement on Wednesday saying it had recommended that world sports organizations cancel events in Indonesia.
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, refused to issue visas to Israeli gymnasts earlier this month amid Israel’s massacre in Gaza, preventing them from participating in the championships that began on Sunday.
Jakarta said the move was in line with Indonesia’s policy of cutting ties with Israel until it recognizes an independent Palestinian state.
In a strongly worded statement, the IOC said it was ending all discussions about Indonesia’s possible Olympic bid until the Indonesian government guarantees that all athletes, regardless of nationality, are eligible to compete in Indonesia in the future.
Indonesia has repeatedly expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics, but the IOC’s decision has all but eliminated any possibility of hosting the Games within 11 years.
Following the IOC’s statement, Sports Minister Eric Tohir said Indonesia “understood the consequences of the decision”, adding that the measure was aimed at maintaining public order.
“We adhere to the principles of maintaining security, public order and public interest in organizing all international events,” Tohir wrote on X.
He added that this principle is part of Indonesia’s constitution and is based on the obligation to maintain world order.
“We understand that this decision has consequences. Unless Indonesia is able to accept the presence of Israel, the IOC has decided that Indonesia cannot host World Championships, Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games and other activities under the Olympic umbrella,” Tohir said.
The IOC has announced changes to the qualification principles for Olympic Games qualifying events to ensure access for all athletes, regardless of their nationality.
It ordered the Indonesian Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to attend a meeting at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, to discuss the issue. The date of the meeting was not disclosed.
Last week, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected the Israeli Gymnastics Federation’s appeal to be allowed to participate in the championships.
CAS also rejected Israel’s request to guarantee Israel’s participation in the FIG or force the art community to cancel or relocate.
FIG has not threatened to take away the event from Indonesia, as stipulated in its rules if the organizer refuses to issue a visa. Israel sought to invalidate the FIG, which “notes” government statements, but CAS also rejected the request on October 14.
