Overview
- Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra said Indonesia will not issue visas to the Israeli team for the Oct. 19–25 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta.
- The Indonesian Gymnastics Federation withdrew sponsorship letters for six Israeli athletes, removing the paperwork needed for visa approval.
- The move follows sustained domestic pressure from religious authorities and politicians, including calls by the Indonesian Ulema Council and warnings from Jakarta’s governor about public outrage.
- Eighty-six countries are registered for the event, which will proceed without Israel despite earlier assurances in July that its athletes would be welcome.
- Officials reiterated that Indonesia will not open diplomatic ties or facilitate Israeli sports delegations until Israel recognizes a free and sovereign Palestinian state, echoing past stances such as the 2023 U-20 World Cup dispute.