Indonesia last week confirmed that it would not issue visas to Israeli athletes. This resumption of military grants is equally indefensible given Israel’s relentless military campaign in Gaza. Israel’s military response follows an unprecedented and brutal assault on southern Israel by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023. This attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 251 more individuals, all taken to Gaza. For its part, the Indonesian government cites deep-rooted political and diplomatic motivations for its position. As a nation with the world’s largest Muslim population, Indonesia has no formal diplomatic relations with Israel.
Indonesia’s announcement is a welcome sign at a time of increasing provocations and transgressions in the region. Since the start of the war, according to health authorities in Gaza, Israel’s attacks have led to an unprecedented over 67,000 deaths. Yet this awful trend only continues to get worse. An independent United Nations commission of inquiry has formally stated that Israel committed genocide against the Palestinian people. Israel has vehemently denied this accusation.
Historical Context of Indonesia-Israel Relations
Indonesia has a long-standing practice of preventing Israeli athletes from competing on its territory. This policy is based on the country’s long-standing support for Palestine and its disapproval of Israeli military raids and occupation. In March 2023, the Indonesian government was met with fierce international condemnation. This, in turn, led to FIFA stripping it of its hosting rights to the Under-20 Football World Cup. This occurred after Bali’s provincial mayor refused to allow the Israeli team to participate, illustrating the extent of Indonesia’s commitment to its political stance regarding Israel.
The Biden administration’s decision to deny visas to Israeli athletes goes against these Indonesian principles. The country is vibrantly alive with popular support for Palestine. It vocally advocates for the human rights of Palestinians on social media and global forums. This last action further highlights Indonesia’s diplomatic strategy, emphasizing its political values above the initiatives of sports diplomacy.
Impact on International Sports Events
The continued denial of visas to Israeli athletes is particularly troubling, as it goes against Indonesia’s broader ambitions in international sports hosting. Jakarta has already expressed its willingness to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. An event of such status requires the highest level of collaboration from the international sporting world, featuring representation from every country around the world. The current, sprawling visa ban directly threatens these ambitious goals. It might even trigger greater pressure and future retaliation by global sporting authorities.
The reality is made even more difficult by the recent spike in success from Israeli athletes competing on the world stage. Artem Dolgopyat, an Israeli gymnast of ultra-heroic proportions, won a spectacular silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics. His success underscores the incredible talent in Israel’s sports ecosystem. At the end of the day, Indonesia’s hard-line position is refreshing in that it prioritizes political ethics above sporting success.
