The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has urged international sports federations to avoid hosting events in Indonesia after the country denied visas to Israeli gymnasts for a world championship in Jakarta. The IOC also suspended discussions regarding Indonesia's potential bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.
Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority nation, refused entry to Israeli athletes for the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, citing objections to Israel's military offensive in Gaza. Senior legal affairs minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra confirmed the decision, noting pressure from Islamic clerics.
The Israel Gymnastics Federation described the ban as "shocking and heartbreaking." The IOC has ordered the Indonesian Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation to attend a meeting in Lausanne, though no date has been set.
The IOC also announced it would revise qualification principles to guarantee access for all athletes regardless of nationality. Indonesia has no formal diplomatic ties with Israel and has strongly criticised its actions in Gaza, even after a recent ceasefire.
