The world of gymnastics is facing one of its most politically charged moments as Indonesia, the host of the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, has denied visas to Israeli athletes, barring their participation in the highly anticipated event scheduled for October 19-25, 2025, in Jakarta. This decision, confirmed on October 10, 2025, has sent ripples through the international sporting community, raising fresh questions about the intersection of politics and sports.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) acknowledged Indonesia’s move in a brief statement, noting, “The FIG takes note of the Indonesian government’s decision not to issue visas to the Israeli delegation registered for the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics, which will be held in Jakarta from 19-25 October, and recognizes the challenges that the host country has faced in organizing this event.” Despite its own statutes allowing for relocation in such cases, FIG stopped short of threatening to move the event elsewhere. Instead, the organization expressed hope for a more inclusive future: “The FIG hopes that an environment will be created as soon as possible where athletes around the world can enjoy sports safely and with peace of mind.”
Indonesia’s decision comes on the heels of intense domestic opposition to the participation of Israeli athletes. The world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, Indonesia has long been a staunch supporter of Palestinian statehood. Objections poured in from influential groups, including a council of Islamic clerics and the Jakarta city government, ultimately leading to the visa denial. Senior Legal Affairs Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra was unequivocal, stating, “The decision aligns with Indonesia’s longstanding policy of maintaining no ties with Israel until it recognizes the independence and full sovereignty of the state of Palestine.”
The Israeli team, among 86 national delegations registered for the championships, now finds its participation in doubt. The squad was set to feature 2020 Olympic gold medalist and defending world champion Artem Dolgopyat in the men’s floor exercise—a star whose presence would have added extra sparkle to the competition. The Israeli Gymnastics Federation had received assurances from Indonesian officials as recently as July 2025 that the team would be welcome, despite the country’s traditional refusal to host Israeli sports delegations. That promise, it seems, has succumbed to political realities and overwhelming public sentiment.
“They are confirmed to not be attending,” Ita Juliati, head of the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation, told reporters on Friday. The Israeli Gymnastics Federation, for its part, has not issued a formal response to the latest developments. Meanwhile, Indonesian Olympic Committee president Raja Sapta Oktohari sought to frame the decision as one made after careful consideration: “We respect every decision taken by the government with various considerations,” he said at a Jakarta news conference.
Social media in Indonesia has been ablaze with reaction. A recent Instagram post by the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation, announcing the Israeli team’s expected attendance, drew hundreds of pro-Palestinian comments from domestic users. The groundswell of public opinion, coupled with the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, has made the issue especially sensitive. Since October 2023, the Gaza conflict has claimed more than 67,000 Palestinian lives, according to health authorities in the enclave. The Israeli military campaign began after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 hostages taken.
Indonesia’s stance is not new, but the context has evolved. President Prabowo Subianto, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, signaled a slight softening of the country’s approach. “The world must have an independent Palestine, but also recognize and guarantee the safety and security of Israel,” Prabowo said, expressing a nuanced position that, while maintaining support for Palestinian statehood, also acknowledged Israel’s right to security. That message, however, has not translated into a policy shift regarding sporting events.
This is not the first time Indonesia’s political position has led to sporting fallout. In March 2023, FIFA stripped Indonesia of its hosting rights for the Under-20 World Cup after a regional governor refused to host the Israeli team. The decision came just two months before the tournament’s scheduled kickoff, underscoring the potential for last-minute upheaval when politics and sports collide. Despite the loss, Indonesia was later awarded hosting rights for a different youth World Cup that did not feature Israel, a move seen by some as a diplomatic compromise. Indonesian football’s fortunes have also been shaped by its leader Erick Thohir’s close ties with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, both of whom are members of the International Olympic Committee.
The current gymnastics controversy arrives amid a global reckoning over Israel’s role in international sports. Last month, United Nations experts called on FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to suspend Israel from international competition, describing it as “a necessary response to address the ongoing genocide in the occupied Palestinian territory.” Israel has categorically rejected those accusations, but the calls reflect mounting pressure within the sports world to take a stand on the conflict.
For Indonesian organizers, the gymnastics dispute represents both a diplomatic headache and a test of national resolve. Indonesian Gymnastics Federation chairwoman Ita Yuliati said she had briefed FIG president Morinari Watanabe about the government’s decision and claimed, “the FIG has expressed support.” Yet, the international governing body’s muted response suggests a desire to avoid escalation, even as its own statutes theoretically allow for stronger action.
The impact of the ban is felt most keenly by the athletes themselves, who are caught in the crossfire of geopolitics. For many gymnasts, the world championships represent the pinnacle of their careers—a chance to compete on the sport’s biggest stage, earn medals, and qualify for future Olympic Games. The absence of the Israeli team, especially a star like Dolgopyat, not only diminishes the competitive field but also highlights the fragility of sporting ideals in the face of real-world conflicts.
As the opening of the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships approaches, the event is set to proceed in Jakarta without the Israeli delegation. The FIG’s hope for an environment where all athletes can compete safely and with peace of mind remains, for now, just that—a hope. The world will be watching to see whether the spirit of sportsmanship can ultimately transcend the politics that too often divide.
