Israeli players have been banned from competing in next month’s World Indoor Bowls Championships amid a campaign by pro-Palestinian groups.
The World Bowls Tour (WBT) said in a statement there had been a “significant escalation in related political concerns” following the involvement of Israeli bowlers at the Scottish International Open in August.
Three Israelis were expected to compete at the World Indoor Championships – which will take place in Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk – but their invitations have been withdrawn.
Daniel Alomin can no longer compete in the singles, while Amnon Amar and Itai Rigbi have been pulled out of the pairs.
“This decision was not taken lightly and has been made in the best interests of the event’s success and integrity,” the statement added.
WBT had faced pressure from several pro-Palestinian groups, including Palestine Action and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
The Norfolk Palestine Solidarity Campaign had urged its supporters to sign a petition calling for the players’ invitations to be rescinded.
In its campaign, the group accused Israel of committing apartheid against Palestinians and called for its athletes to be banned under the 1977 Gleneagles Agreement – originally signed to exclude South Africa.
Israel strongly denies accusations of apartheid.
MP Rupert Lowe, whose Great Yarmouth constituency includes Hopton-on-Sea, said he was “genuinely disgusted” by the players being banned and would “fight” it.
“As far as I am concerned as the local MP, these individuals are welcome in our constituency,” Lowe posted on social media platform X.
“Sport should be a unifier, and it should be above politics.”
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said: “There can be no justification for this overt act of discrimination against Israeli participants, who are excluded solely on the basis of their nationality.”
The sport’s governing body, World Bowls – which is separate to the World Bowls Tour, said Israeli players were still welcome to play in its events.
In an email to members, World Bowls said: “At our recent World Bowls Junior Indoor Championships in Hong Kong China in early December, we were pleased to have Israel represented.”
The 14-month war between Israel and Hamas began when Hamas-led gunmen carried out an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
More than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed during the war, according to figures from Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.
The figures are often disputed by the Israeli government, which says almost 20,000 “terrorists” have been killed, but they are broadly accepted by United Nations agencies.
Across other sports, there has been no similar ban on Israeli athletes – or the country’s national teams.
Israel was initially banned from last year’s Ice Hockey World Championships, but the decision was later reversed.
The Palestine Football Association has called for its Israeli counterpart to be suspended by world governing body Fifa, but no decision has yet been taken.
