The Government Will Not Issue A Visa Of 6 Israeli Gymnastics Athletes Who Will Compete In Jakarta
Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra emphasized that the government will not issue visas for six Israeli gymnastics athletes competing in the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship in Jakarta this October.
This international sporting event will be held on 19-25 October. Yusril said, this decision is in line with the government's attitude of not having diplomatic relations until Israel recognizes Palestinian independence.
"We want to make it clear that the government is firm and consistent in its attitude towards Israel and will not grant visas to six Israeli athletes who according to Israeli media reports will be present in this world artistic gymnastics championship competition in Jakarta," Yusril said in a video caption, Thursday, October 9.
Yusril said this decision had been coordinated among the ranks of the Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections.
The attitude taken by the government, continued Yusril, is also in accordance with the expectations of the community.
"The Indonesian government is firm that it will not make any contact with the Israeli side until Israel recognizes the existence of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state," he stressed.
"The government's attitude is also in line with the expectations of all the people that we can see that there are strong rejections from various religious organizations, the ulama assembly, from local governments, from political parties and all of that was listened to by the government," continued Yusril.
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Previously reported, DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated firmly his rejection of the arrival of artistic gymnastics athletes from Israel to Jakarta during the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Gymnastics Championships or the 2025 53th World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
Pramono urged the central government and organizations that organize the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships to reconsider not to include Israeli athletes.
"I hope that in this case the government or organizations that invite must think a thousand times. For me, the most important thing is that the visa does not need to be issued so that it doesn't (come) to Jakarta," said Pramono at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Wednesday, October 8.
The senior PDIP politician emphasized that currently many countries, including Indonesia, are increasingly condemning the Israeli genocide in Gaza which resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of Palestinians.
Therefore, if Israel comes to Jakarta, Pramono is confident that it will cause anger from many people who have been in favor of Palestinian independence.
"Because whatever happens in Gaza, the memory is attached to all of us. Moreover, President Prabowo Subianto's speech at the United Nations is clear, clear. So it doesn't need to be translated anymore," said Pramono.