.png)
3 days ago
6
Israeli players have been banned from next month’s World Indoor Bowls Championships in Norfolk after a campaign by pro-Palestinian groups.
The decision was widely condemned by Jewish groups and the local MP, Rupert Lowe, who called it a victory for “the mob”.
Three Israelis were expected to compete in the tournament in Hopton-on-Sea – with Daniel Alomin due to play in the singles and Amnon Amar and Itai Rigbi in the pairs – but their invitations have since been withdrawn.
The World Bowls Tour (WBT) said in a statement that its decision had been taken after the involvement of Israeli bowlers at the Scottish International Open in August had produced “a significant escalation in related political concerns”.
“As a result of the intensity of the situation, the WBT Board, in consultation with our event partners and other relevant stakeholders, has made the difficult decision to withdraw the invitation for Israel to participate in the forthcoming World Indoor Championships.
“Bowls is, and always has been, a sport that unites people and this choice reflects our commitment to protecting the championships and ensuring they run smoothly for everyone involved.”
However the Norfolk Palestine Solidarity Campaign said the move came about after joint action with Scottish Sports for Palestine and Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card. Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card posted on its Facebook page: “The Israeli bowlers that we have been campaigning about have had their invitation withdrawn! We will keep chipping away against genocidal sports washing until Palestine is free!”
However Lowe, whose Great Yarmouth constituency includes Hopton-on-Sea, said he was “genuinely disgusted” by the decision which he described as “pure insanity”.
“This is following a concerted campaign from the pro-Palestine mob to have these Israelis barred from competing,” he wrote on X. “I am genuinely disgusted. As far as I am concerned as the local MP, these individuals are welcome in our constituency.
“What message does this send?” he added. “If the mob screams and shouts, they can get competitors of a certain nationality banned from entry? It is insanity, pure insanity. The organisers are cowards. Sport should be a unifier, and it should be above politics.”
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said there was no justification for an “overt act of discrimination against Israeli participants, who are excluded solely on the basis of their nationality”.
World Bowls, the Melbourne-based recognised international federation that organises the rival World Bowls Indoor Championships, emphasised that the WBT was not affiliated with them and had taken the decision alone.
after newsletter promotion
“World Bowls has 60 member countries from across the world including Israel and all of our members continue to be welcome and eligible to participate in all World Bowls-staged events,” it added.
Potters Resorts, which has hosted the tournament since 1999, also said it was not involved in deciding who was invited. A spokesperson said: “While Potters Resorts is proud to host the event, we are not involved in decisions regarding player participation and remain a neutral venue for this prestigious competition.
The decision by the WBT is unusual in global sporting terms. Israel was initially banned from the 2023 Ice Hockey World Championships but the decision was later reversed, and Israeli stars have continued to compete in other major competitions, including the Olympics.
