Israelis free to play at World Indoor Bowls Championships after U-turn

Israeli players will now be free to compete at next month’s World Indoor Bowls Championships in Norfolk after tournament organisers revoked a ban.

Three Israelis had been expected to play at the tournament in Hopton-on-Sea – with Daniel Alomin due to feature in the singles and Amnon Amar and Itai Rigbi in the pairs – but their invitations were withdrawn.

The initial ban came following a campaign by pro-Palestinian groups with the World Bowls Tour (WBT) suggesting its decision had been taken after the involvement of Israeli bowlers at the Scottish International Open in August had produced “a significant escalation in related political concerns”.

The WBT said the decision “was not taken lightly” and had been made “in the best interests of the event’s success and integrity”. The call was widely condemned by Jewish groups and the local MP, Rupert Lowe, who called it a victory for “the mob”.

However, on Tuesday, the WBT issued a new statement confirming that the three players would be free to compete and offered an apology.

It read: “We would firstly wish to extend our sincere apologies to both you and to PBA Israel, for any upset or offence that we have caused by the withdrawal of the invitation to the three members of PBA Israel in advance of the January 2025 championships. This was absolutely not our intention; however as we made clear, we had found ourselves in a very difficult position in relation to the security of the venue and to the competitors and other attendees.

“However, over the past 48 hours we have been exploring practical ways in which our concerns could be overcome, so as to enable the invitation to PBA Israel to be reinstated. We are pleased to say that following discussions with various partner agencies, we have been able to confirm today an increase in the security presence at the event. The WBT Board is accordingly satisfied that this increased level of security which will be in place is sufficient to be able to welcome the PBA Israel Team to the event starting on 10 January 2025.

“We are very pleased about being able to reverse the decision to withdraw the invitation which we regrettably felt compelled to take in all the circumstances. The sole consideration behind this difficult decision had been the safety and security of all participants, staff, and attendees involved in the tournament. Following significant feedback and credible concerns regarding the potential risks posed to competitors we had felt it necessary to act responsibly, so to ensure the wellbeing of everyone involved.”

Earlier in the day Lowe, whose Great Yarmouth constituency includes Hopton-on-Sea, said he was “genuinely disgusted” by the decision which he described as “pure insanity”. “This is following a concerted campaign from the pro-Palestine mob to have these Israelis barred from competing,” the Reform party MP wrote on X. “I am genuinely disgusted. As far as I am concerned as the local MP, these individuals are welcome in our constituency.”

He added: “What message does this send? If the mob screams and shouts, they can get competitors of a certain nationality banned from entry? It is insanity, pure insanity. The organisers are cowards. Sport should be a unifier, and it should be above politics.”

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said there was no justification for an “overt act of discrimination against Israeli participants, who are excluded solely on the basis of their nationality”.

Potters Resorts, which has hosted the tournament since 1999, also said it was not involved in deciding who was invited. A spokesperson said: “While Potters Resorts is proud to host the event, we are not involved in decisions regarding player participation and remain a neutral venue for this prestigious competition.”