Jakarta’s ban on Israeli athletes backfires as the IOC halts Indonesia’s Olympic ambitions over its blatant violation of sports neutrality.
Indonesia’s sports boycott has turned into a diplomatic disaster.
Sports Minister Erick Thohir announced Thursday that Jakarta “understands the consequences” of barring Israeli gymnasts from a world championship in the capital—an act that has now cost Indonesia its future on the global sporting stage.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) swiftly responded with unprecedented force, freezing all talks with Indonesia regarding its 2036 Olympic Games bid and warning international federations not to host any major event in Indonesia.
What began as a gesture of “public order” has become a national embarrassment.
“We adhere to the principle of maintaining security and public interest,” Thohir insisted online—defending a policy that tramples the very foundation of Olympic spirit: unity through sport.
Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, denied visas to Israeli athletes after pressure from Islamist clerics and government factions opposing any contact with Israel. The decision was in line with Jakarta’s long-standing refusal to recognize the Jewish State until it recognizes “Palestine.”
But this time, the cost is heavy. The IOC has made it clear—discrimination has no place in world sport.
The Israel Gymnastics Federation condemned the move as “outrageous,” while the IOC’s executive board declared:
“These actions deprive athletes of their right to compete peacefully and prevent the Olympic movement from showing the power of sport.”
Indonesia now finds itself isolated—cut off from Olympic hosting rights and shamed before the global community. Its moral posturing in the name of “Palestine” has achieved nothing but punishing innocent athletes and derailing its international credibility.
Ironically, the same Indonesia that preaches “world order” violated it—allowing religious extremism and anti-Israel hatred to dictate policy. Even as quiet talks reportedly continue over potential normalization with Israel, the government chose confrontation over cooperation.
The result? A self-inflicted penalty that leaves Indonesia off the Olympic map and on the wrong side of history.
While Israel continues to compete proudly across the globe—turning adversity into excellence—Indonesia has learned a harsh lesson: boycotting Israel means boycotting progress.
