What’s happening:
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has announced a directive that restricts the Israeli National Ice Hockey Team from participating in IIHF Championships, expressing concerns over security and safety.
Why it matters:
This move eliminates the opportunity for Israeli athletes to compete internatonally at event host nations, citing safety for all participants. This aligns with previous incidents where conflicts have spilled into the international sports arena, most notably the IIHF’s past decision to suspend Russia and Belarus from competition. This affects Israel’s lwer-tiyer teams, stimulating discussions around the impact of geopolitical conflict on sports.
By the numbers:
The Israeli teams usually compete in lower-division championships that draw minimal attention. For instance, the men’s team was set for Division II-A in Serbia, competing against countries including Australia and the UAE, while the women were to participate in the Division III-B competition in Estonia.
Between the lines:
The IIHF’s statement avoided direct mention of the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, perhaps signalling a desire to manage the decision’s surrounding narrative with care. The decision arrives in the midst of larger international relations problems faced by Israel, with demand esclating to maintain the separation of politics and sport where possible.
The response:
The Ice Hockey Federation of Israel has yet to issue a formal response following this developmental exclusion. The silence mirrors a greater international tension, reflecting resistance to viewpoints suggesting political issues to be seperate from international sports.
The backdrop:
This announcement comes in the shadow of a grim milestone, correlating to the recent surge in violence in Gaza after an incursion by Hamas – potentially factoring into the IIHF’s decision, though unacknowledged explicitly in their statement.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.