Wow! Governor Wayan Koster Also Refuses Israel To Appear At The ANOC World Beach Games In Bali

Bali Governor I Wayan Koster/DOK BALI PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

JAKARTA - Bali Governor I Wayan Koster has officially taken a refusal to accept the Israeli contingent, which was originally scheduled to attend the 2023 ANOC World Beach Games. The decision automatically threatens the sustainability of the international event.

In Wayan Koster's latest statement, his attitude was taken because he followed the constitution that still applies in Indonesia and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Regulation Number 3 of 2019.

"What prohibits flying the Israeli flag and national anthem as an entity in Indonesia. So, I still reject Israel's presence in Bali, including at the upcoming ANOC World Beach Games," he said in a statement received Wednesday, April 5.

The second edition of the World Beach Games is scheduled to take place from 5 to 12 August 2023 in Bali. Some Israeli athletes are eligible to take part in a major event that is one under the Olympic level.

Wayan Koster's consistency in continuing to reject Israel and mixing between sport and politics has not changed. Previously, he also rejected Israel's national team competing in the U-20 World Cup for the same reason.

The consequences of this rejection made the parent of international football FIFA cross out Indonesia to host the event which was supposed to take place on May 20-11 June 2023.

"This has the potential to pose a threat and security disturbance in Bali, both open and closed threats," said Koster when rejecting the Israeli national team competing in the U-20 World Cup.

"I do not tolerate potential disturbances to the security and safety of the people in Bali, which further will have a broad impact on the hard work of all parties so far," he added.

According to Koster, the rejection of the Israeli national team is also in accordance with the mandate of the 1945 Constitution which is held firmly by the first president of Soekarno. Especially Indonesia has no diplomatic relations with Israel.

Koster raised the principle of humanity in accordance with the mandate of Soekarno's proclamation figure in rejecting the Israeli national team. According to Koster, this cannot be separated from humanitarian principles.

"Because it is based on principles related to humanity, history, and the responsibility of inter-national associations and people's aspirations to FIFA," he said.