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World Bowls has been inundated with messages inferring that the decision by the World Bowls Tour to exclude some players from Israel from participating in this Championship was made by World Bowls. Of course, this is not an event owned or organized by World Bowls.
As a result, the following statement was posted on its website and social media platforms on Tuesday.
“World Bowls is the recognized international sports federation for the sport of Bowls worldwide.
The World Bowls Tour (WBT) is not affiliated with World Bowls and is an independent organization that organizes the World Indoor Bowls Championship held in January each year. Their decision to deny entry to some players from Israel to this event in January 2025 is a decision made by the directors of the WBT and World Bowls has no connection or involvement in this decision.
World Bowls has 60 member countries from around the world, including Israel, and all our members remain welcome and eligible to participate in all events organized by World Bowls. At our recent World Indoor Junior Bowls Championships in Hong Kong, China in early December, we were pleased to have Israel represented at this event.”
Neil Dalrymple, CEO, World Bowls
World Bowling Tour Response
Whether or not as a result of the World Bowls declaration, on the same day it was announced that Israeli players will now be able to compete in January’s World Indoor Bowls Championship after the World Bowls Tour (WBT) reversed its previous ban caused by pressure from pro-Palestinian groups.
Initially, invitations to three Israeli players (Daniel Alomin, Amnon Amar and Itai Rigbi) were withdrawn due to political concerns following Israeli participation in the Scottish International Open. However, after “significant additional security measures”, the players were reinstated.
The decision was welcomed by local MP Rupert Lowe, who strongly criticized the ban, calling it discriminatory. The WBT expressed relief at resolving the issue to include players from all countries. The initial ban drew criticism, including from the Board of Deputies of British Jews, which called it discriminatory, and the UK government, which called the ban “deeply disappointing.”
Pro-Palestinian groups, including the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, had campaigned for the ban, citing Israel’s alleged apartheid policies. Israel denies these accusations.
Similar controversies have occurred in other sports, although bans imposed on Israeli athletes have generally been overturned, reflecting broader debates over sports and political conflicts.
