World Bowls Tour revokes ban on Israeli bowlers
Decision follows furious reaction to ban three Israeli players from taking part in this month's World Indoor Bowls Championships
Israeli players will be allowed to compete in the World Indoor Bowls Championships in Norfolk after tournament organisers revoked a ban on them competing in the event.
The World Bowls Tour (WBT) had claimed there had been a “significant escalation in related political concerns” after the involvement of three Israeli bowlers at the Scottish International Open in August.
But in a new statement on December 31 it was confirmed that Daniel Alonim, Amnon Amar and Itai Rigbi could now compete in this month’s tournament after “significant additional security measures” had been put in place.
The announcement came on the same day as a letter to WBT expressing anger at the decision to stop the Israelis. Organised by Lord Austin and the Britain-Israel APPG with support from CFI and LFI, the letter noted “profound concern” over the decision.
A government spokesperson told BBC Sport the decision was a matter for international sport federations and the national representatives to these federations, but added it was “deeply disappointing”.
The Conservative Friends of Israel, and UK Lawyers For Israel organisations had also expressed their own anger at the ban.
MP Rupert Lowe, whose Great Yarmouth constituency includes Hopton-on-Sea, where the Norfolk tournament is due to take place, welcomed the decision.
Lowe, who said he was “genuinely disgusted” that the players had been banned, wrote on X: “The Israeli team will be welcomed in Great Yarmouth, and I wish them well for the event.
“The World Bowls Tour have made the right decision.”
The Board of Deputies described the initial ban as “an overt act of discrimination against Israeli participants”, and welcomed the change of heart.
The tournament organisers had faced pressure from several pro-Palestinian groups, including Palestine Action and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, to introduce the ban.
The WBT later acknowledged it had been “a difficult time for all involved” and was pleased to reach an outcome that “includes players for all supporting countries”.
Alonim will play in the World Open Singles, while Amar and Rigbi will feature in the World Open Pairs.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
