Following public backlash, the World Bowls Tour (WBT) on Tuesday reversed its decision to exclude Israeli competitors from the world indoor and singles championships in Hopton-on-Sea, England, later this month.
Earlier this week, the organization said that “due to recent challenges experienced by WBT Directors regarding the involvement of Israeli bowlers” and a “significant escalation in related political concerns,” they had decided to withdraw their invitations to Daniel Alomin, Amnon Amar and Itai Rigbi.
That decision sparked significant public backlash, including from World Bowls, the sport’s international federation, which quickly released a statement clarifying that WBT “is not affiliated with World Bowls and is a separate organization that organizes the World Indoor Bowls Championship staged in January each year.
“Their decision to deny entry for some players from Israel to this event in January 2025 is a decision that the WBT Directors have made, and World Bowls has no connection or involvement in this decision.”
World Bowls further emphasized that “all of our members continue to be welcome and eligible to participate in all World Bowls staged events. At our recent World Bowls Junior Indoor Championships in Hong Kong China in early December, we were pleased to have Israel represented at this event.”
UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) wrote to WBT saying that the decision to exclude Israeli competitors was illegal.
Due to the public backlash, WBT quickly reversed its decision, offered “sincere apologies for any upset and offence,” and said it was looking at practical ways to address security concerns.
The Campaign against Antisemitism wrote on X, “While it is shameful that the Israeli athletes had been disinvited in the first place, this is a reassuring end to the matter and a welcome happy note on which to bring 2024 to a close.”
Rupert Lowe, MP for the constituency of Great Yarmouth, where the championship will be held, welcomed the decision. He tweeted, “Fantastic news to finish the year. …This is how you deal with the bullies taking to the streets of OUR country every weekend. Stand up to them, don’t accept their hateful tactics. The Israeli team will be welcomed in Great Yarmouth, and I wish them well for the event.”
The Board of Deputies of British Jews echoed Lowe’s sentiments in a statement, noting that intimidation by pro-Palestinian groups has been affecting the Jewish community, U.K. politicians and businesses with “real or imagined links to Israel” for over a year.
