Israel has been banned from competing in the World Championship by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) citing “security concerns”.
The ban puts Israel in line with Russia and Belarus, which were suspended for the same reason in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement released Wednesday, the IIHF said its Governing Council “restricts the participation of the Israeli national team in the IIHF Championship until the safety and health of all participants (including Israeli participants) is ensured. I have decided to do so.”
“The IIHF Board made this decision after careful consideration and based on a risk assessment, consultation with participating countries, and consultation with host countries.”
Two Florida Panthers fans hold American and Israeli flags before a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Amerant Bank Arena on November 6, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida. (Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)
The statement, obtained by The Associated Press, did not say whether other countries opposed fighting Israel, nor did it mention the ongoing Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza. The IIHF said Israel would remain excluded “for the time being.”
The IIHF previously used similar language regarding safety and security to support its decision last year to suspend Russia and Belarus from competition following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
AP report The IIHF World Championship is comprised of a series of weight classes, and the Israeli national team typically plays in lower-division events with sparse crowds and less media exposure.
Israeli players celebrate a goal during the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship game between Israel and Georgia in Madrid at Palacio de Hierro on April 17, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images)
The Israeli men's national team was scheduled to compete in the Division II-A World Championship tournament in Serbia in April, where they would face teams from Australia, the United Arab Emirates and other countries.
The Israeli women's national team was scheduled to compete in the Division III-B World Championship in Estonia in March, playing against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Indonesia.
