Australia’s ice hockey federation has canceled an upcoming international qualifying tournament due to safety concerns, with local media linking the decision to the participation of the Israeli national team, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
Multiple sources have cited an internal email from Ice Hockey Australia (IHA) to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) stating that the tournament could not proceed due to security risks stemming from Israel’s involvement.
In a statement, IHA confirmed the cancellation of the tournament, scheduled for April in Melbourne, following consultations with local police and the venues involved. While the statement does not explicitly mention Israel, it emphasizes a policy of refraining from commenting on “global issues outside the sport.”
“The decision was primarily made to ensure the safety and security of athletes, volunteers, spectators, and other participants,” the statement reads. “IHA does not shy away from making this decision with safety at the forefront.”
The IIHF has not responded to a Reuters request for comment.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the cancellation “unfortunate,” but reassured the public that the government has taken necessary steps to protect Australia’s Jewish community.
“This is a decision made by Ice Hockey Australia,” he said in an interview with Channel Nine. “We’re addressing in every possible way these issues because we understand that [antisemitism] is very hurtful for the Jewish community.”
Australia has seen a rise in antisemitism in recent months, including an incident on Monday in which an antisemitic phrase was spray-painted on a car in the Queens Park area of eastern Sydney.
Last month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the torching of the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne, linking the act to the Australian Labor government’s stance on Israel.
“I expect the state authorities to use their full weight to prevent such acts in the future,” said Netanyahu. “Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israeli position of the Labor government in Australia, including the scandalous decision to support the U.N. resolution calling on Israel ‘to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,’ and preventing a former Israeli minister from entering the country. Anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitism.”