Overview

• An Israeli youth baseball team was removed from an international tournament in Stuttgart, scheduled for late April and early May 2025.
• Organizers cited safety concerns for the team outside the competition venues, referencing past incidents of anti-Israeli violence at sporting events.
• The global youth baseball organization Pony stated the exclusion was due to overbooking and denied claims of bias or negligence.
• Israeli officials expressed shock, calling the decision unjust and contrary to the values of sportsmanship and mutual respect.
• The controversy highlights ongoing tensions surrounding international sports and the broader Middle East conflict.