ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo has firmly rejected the participation of Israeli athletes in the upcoming 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, which will be held at Indonesia Arena, Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, from October 19–25, 2025.
Pramono called on the national government not to issue visas for athletes from Israel, emphasizing that the stance reflects Indonesia’s continued solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza.
“For me, the most important thing is that their visas should not be issued, so they won’t come to Jakarta—there’s no benefit to it,” Pramono said at Jakarta City Hall on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) politician stressed that he would not allow the Israeli delegation to compete in Jakarta under the current circumstances.
“Given the situation, as Governor of Jakarta, I certainly cannot allow Israeli athletes to come,” he asserted.
Solidarity with Palestine
Pramono also referred to President Prabowo Subianto’s recent speech at the UN General Assembly on September 23, in which the President urged global peace and an end to violence in Palestine.
“Whatever happens in Gaza, the memory of it remains with all of us,” Pramono said.
This is not the first time PDIP politicians have opposed Israeli participation in international sports events. In 2023, Ganjar Pranowo and Wayan Koster—then Governors of Central Java and Bali—rejected the Israeli national football team’s participation in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which eventually led to the tournament being relocated to Argentina.
Response from Israeli Media
Israeli media outlet Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) reported that several Israeli gymnasts had already registered for the World Championships in Jakarta. The Israeli Gymnastics Federation claimed it had been in contact with the event organizers and believed that “external considerations would not affect the competition.”
“We are in direct communication with the organizers and are confident that political issues will not interfere with the sport,” a federation spokesperson said, as quoted by JNS.
“We hope the organizers will approve our participation and ensure security arrangements for the delegation.”
With this firm stance, Governor Pramono adds to Indonesia’s long-standing position of refusing participation by Israeli athletes in international sporting events — a reflection of the nation’s unwavering support for Palestinian independence and justice. (AT Network)
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