Israeli players will now be free to compete at the World Indoor Bowls in Norfolk next month after the tournament organizers lifted their ban.
Three Israelis were expected to play in the tournament in Hopton-on-Sea – with Daniel Alomin in singles and Amnon Amar and Itai Rigbi in doubles – but they withdrew their invitations.
The first ban followed a campaign by a pro-Palestinian group with the World Bowls Tour (WBT), suggesting that its decision was made after the involvement of Israeli bowlers in the international Scottish Open in August “signifies a politically motivated escalation”. .
The WBT decision was made “not lightly” and was made “in the best interests of the success and integrity of the project.” The call was widely condemned by Jewish groups and the MP, Rupert Lowe, who called it a “popular” victory.
However, on Tuesday, WBT confirmed a new statement confirming that the three players are free to compete and offer compensation.
It reads: “First of all, we want to extend a sincere apology to you and to PBA Israel, for any disturbance or offense that we have caused by withdrawing the invitation to three members of PBA Israel in advance of the championship in January 2015. . This was not our intention at all; However, as we have stated, we find ourselves in a very difficult position with regard to the security of the venue and to the competitors and other attendees.
“However, in the past 48 hours we have only explored the practical ways in which our concerns could be overcome, so that the invitation to the PBA Israel is repeated. I was pleased to say that following conversations with various companies, today we were able to confirm the increase in security in the event of presence. The WBT Board is satisfied that this increased level of security, which will be in place, is sufficient to allow Team Israel PBA to host the event starting on January 10, 2025.
“We are very happy about the decision to withdraw the invitation which we are sorry to take in all the circumstances we were forced to go back. The only consideration behind this difficult decision is the safety and security of all participants, staff and attendees involved in the tournament. Following significant feedback and credible concerns about the potential risks posed to our competitors, we felt it necessary to act responsibly, so as to ensure the good health of all concerned.
Earlier in the day Lowe, whose Great Yarmouth constituency includes Hopton-on-Sea, said he was “really disgusted” by the decision which he described as “pure madness”. “This agreement was followed by a pro-Palestinian people’s campaign so that these Israelis were banned from competition,” the Reform Party MP wrote in 10.
He added: “Who sent this message? Can the competitors of a certain nation be barred from entering by the shouts and cries of the people? Madness, pure madness. They are suddenly nervous. Sport should be a unifier, and it should be above politics.
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The Board of Deputies of British Jews said there was no justification “beyond an act of discrimination against Israeli participants who are excluded solely on the basis of their nationality”.
Potter’s Resort, which has hosted the tournament since 1999, also denied that it was called into question. A spokesman said: “As long as Potters Resort is proud to be able to stop the event, we are not involved in the decisions regarding the players’ participation and remain neutral venues for this prestigious competition.”