Rejection Of Israeli Athletes Forms President Prabowo's Firmness

Illustration of Israeli gymnastics athletes. (Instagram/@Roni)

JAKARTA Political communication observer, M Jamiluddin Ritonga said that the Indonesian Government's rejection of the presence of Israeli athletes at the 2025 Artistic Gymnastics World Championship in Jakarta was the right and aspirational decision.

According to him, the decision was in line with President Prabowo Subianto's speech at the United Nations some time ago which explicitly fought for independence and urged the world to recognize the Palestinian state. This firmness is also in line with the Indonesian constitution which rejects the colonialism seen from Indonesian foreign politics.

"So, the rejection of Israeli gymnastics athletes reflects Indonesia's political consistency. This consistency is based on the will of the constitution. This means that Prabowo is perpendicular to the mandate of the constitution," said Jamil, Sunday, October 12, 2025.

He considered that the government's rejection of Israeli athletes was a response to the genocide committed by Israel in Gaza and had violated humanity. Therefore, Indonesia, which upholds humanity as emphasized in the constitution and Pancasila, should reject Israel, including its athletes.

"That way, the government has acted and acted based on the constitution and the country's ideology. For the sake of humanity, Indonesia rejects genocide, and the implications are rejecting Israeli athletes," Jamil said.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Law and Human Rights, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, emphasized that the Indonesian government would not give Visa to Israeli athletes who would attend Jakarta to participate in the world artistic gymnastics championship which was held on October 19-25, 2025.

Yusril said the government's stance was in line with the direction of President Prabowo Subianto on various occasions, including the very strong stance at the United Nations condemning Israel for continuously committing atrocities and barbarity against the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza.