The Unique Case of Indonesia and Israel and the Ongoing Sports Boycott
A. Alperovich
Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, has used international sports to shape its national identity since independence in 1945 and gaining international recognition in 1949. Its first president, Sukarno, sought to establish the country as a significant force in the international geopolitical arena. This ambition was reflected, among other ways, in the country’s refusal to compete against Israeli athletes. Despite the considerable political and social changes that have taken place since Sukarno left office in 1967, this policy has persisted. Two prominent manifestations of the country’s sports boycott are the 1962 Asian Games and the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Indonesia hosted the former and was selected to host the latter. However, its decision not to permit or accommodate Israeli participation resulted in substantial political and sporting repercussions. Focusing on these two events, which occurred more than 60 years apart, this article examines the distinctive and enduring nature of Indonesia's policy towards Israeli sports. It also analyzes the responses of international sports organizations to Indonesia’s actions and the consequences imposed for violating the principles governing international sporting competition.