But he offered the assembly something no other Indonesian leader has before – the promise to formally recognise Israel, albeit on the condition Palestine was granted statehood.
Prabowo’s first year in office has also been marked by attempts to elevate Indonesia’s status on the world stage by attending global summits, signing trade deals and meeting frequently with other world leaders, a contrast with former president Joko Widodo, who showed comparatively little interest in foreign affairs.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and US President Donald Trump at the Gaza summit in Egypt.Credit: Getty Images
But the suffering in Gaza has been closely felt in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, and gymnastics does not elicit the same fervour as soccer.
It remains to be seen whether Indonesians will be upset over the IOC’s stance on future sporting events and the 2036 Olympics.
Indonesian Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir doubled down on Thursday, saying he was “not concerned” about the IOC rebuke and that the government had “strong reasons” for blocking the Israeli team.
“We understand that [our] decision has consequences,” he said.
Artem Dolgopyat, of Team Israel, competes on Pommel Horse at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Belgium in 2023.Credit: Getty Images
The IOC said it could change its position if Indonesia gave “adequate guarantees that it will allow access to the country for all participants, regardless of nationality, to attend” events.
This week, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation moved to ban athletes from Russia and Belarus competing even as neutral athletes in the qualifiers for next year’s Milano-Cortina Olympic Winter Games.
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The IOC banned Russians from competing under their own flag at the 2024 Paris Olympics owing to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. But the ISSF’s denial of athletes competing as neutrals appears at odds with the IOC’s directive for Indonesia to allow all athletes “regardless of nationality” to compete in tournaments.
The IOC has been contacted for comment.
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