October 8, 2025 | 06:49 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo asserted that the Israeli gymnastics contingent should be barred from the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta, arguing their presence could incite public anger.
Pramono stated that the majority of Indonesians harbor negative sentiments toward Israel. This is particularly due to its ongoing genocide in Palestine. Given this context, Pramono argued that Israeli representatives should not participate in the World Championships, which are scheduled to take place from October 19–25, 2025, at the Gelora Bung Karno area.
"Under such conditions, if a gymnast from Israel competes in Jakarta, it will definitely provoke and ignite public anger," Pramono said at the Jakarta City Hall on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, a statement confirmed by his spokesperson, Cyril Raoul Hakim.
The Governor referred to his authority, stating he would not approve the entry of Israeli athletes to Jakarta. He argued their arrival would be counterproductive and suggested the central government should not issue visas to the athletes.
This is not the first instance of a PDIP politician rejecting Israeli participation. In 2023, two PDIP politicians, Ganjar Pranowo and Wayan Koster, refused the participation of the Israeli football team in the U-20 World Cup. At the time, Ganjar was the Governor of Central Java, and Koster was the Governor of Bali. That rejection ultimately led to the U-20 World Cup being relocated to Argentina.
The opposition to Israeli gymnasts is not limited to Pramono; several prominent organizations, including Muhammadiyah and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), also oppose their arrival in Jakarta.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono commented on the religious organizations' rejection of the Israeli athletes' planned participation. Sugiono clarified that the championship is organized by the Indonesian Gymnastics Federation (Persani), and therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not required to grant permission.
"Whether to accept them or not will be determined by whether they are granted a visa, and that decision does not rest with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," Sugiono stated at the State Palace in Jakarta on October 8, 2025.
Sugiono redirected the issue to Persani or the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections. "The issuance of visas is under immigration," he added.
Tempo has sent a request for confirmation to the Minister of Immigration and Corrections, Agus Andrianto, but he has not yet responded as of the time of publication.
Israeli media outlet Jewish News Syndicate reported that several Israeli gymnasts are reportedly set to participate in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia. According to the report, the Israeli Gymnastics Federation confirmed it has registered to participate in the championship.
Dewi Rina Cahyani and Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the report
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