• The IOC bans Indonesia from hosting international sports events after excluding Israeli gymnasts.
• Indonesia justifies its visa ban on Israeli athletes as a move to maintain public order and security.
• The Israeli Gymnastics Federation's appeal against the ban was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
• The situation threatens Indonesia's bid to host future Olympic events, including the 2036 Summer Olympics.
• Sports Minister Erick Thohir acknowledges the repercussions of the decision, asserting Indonesia's stance is rooted in its foreign policy.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially urged global sports federations to refrain from hosting events in Indonesia following its decision to ban Israeli gymnasts from participating in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. This ban stems from Indonesia's obligation to maintain public order in light of ongoing military actions in Gaza. The IOC reiterated that “all eligible athletes, teams and sports officials must be able to take part in international sports competitions without discrimination by the host country,” which prompted its ban on future dialogues with Indonesia regarding hosting events until appropriate guarantees are provided, according to Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, and BBC.

According to the Indonesian government, the refusal to grant visas to Israeli gymnasts was framed as a stance of solidarity with Palestinians, a position endorsed by various governmental and clerical bodies. Sports Minister Erick Thohir stated that “the decision carries consequences,” acknowledging that Indonesia could not host major international competitions as long as it maintained its visa policy against Israel. This response aligns with Indonesia's constitutional commitment to upholding public order, as highlighted in statements by Reuters and The Jakarta Post.

The Indonesian government has previously faced challenges in hosting sports events due to its stance on Israel, such as the forfeiture of hosting rights for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2023. The Court of Arbitration for Sport had also recently dismissed an appeal from the Israeli Gymnastics Federation seeking to guarantee their athletes' participation in the championships, compounding the ongoing disputes, as reported by Al Jazeera and The Jakarta Post.

Following the IOC's announcement, Indonesia's Sports Minister expressed a commitment to continue engaging in various sports on regional and global levels despite the ban. He stated that Indonesian sports should remain a reflection of national pride and strength. However, this defiance must navigate the stringent conditions posed by the IOC regarding access for all athletes, as observed in multiple assessments by Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.