The NHL said Saturday it had “grave concerns” after the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) considered barring the Israeli team from upcoming world championship tournaments citing safety concerns.
The IIHF said on Wednesday that “Israel will not participate in IIHF competition for the foreseeable future,” but on Friday the decision so far applies only to the under-20 men's tournament, which begins in Bulgaria on January 22. It revealed that.
The organization said no decisions have been made regarding the women's and men's world championships, which Israel will compete in in March and April, respectively.
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Israeli players celebrate after the IIHF Ice Hockey U20 Men's World Championship Third Division semifinal match between Turkey and Israel in Istanbul on February 1, 2023. (Mehmet Murat Oner/Anadolu Agency, via Getty Images)
The NHL said it has expressed its concerns to the IIHF.
“The NHL has grave concerns with Wednesday's announcement from the IIHF regarding the Israeli national team's eligibility and participation in upcoming IIHF events,” the league said. “We have expressed these concerns to the IIHF and sought to better understand both the scope and underlying rationale of the decisions made.
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“As we understand, this decision is intended to be temporary in nature and is intended to protect the safety and security of all parties, including both the Israeli national team and other participating teams. based solely on IIHF's overriding concerns.
“Importantly, this decision is not intended as a sanction against the Israeli Federation, nor is it guaranteed that it will not affect the Israeli Federation's status as a full member in good standing with the IIHF.”
Israeli players celebrate a goal during the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division II Group B game at the Mexico City Ice Dome on April 14, 2016 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Manuel Velazquez/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
“We hope to find a way to reinstate the Israeli national team into our championship program as soon as possible,” the IIHF said.
The group's statement did not mention the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The under-20 men's tournament was due to be held in Israel later this month, but was moved to Bulgaria due to “pre-existing safety and security concerns,” the IIHF said.
The International Olympic Committee announced Friday that it is involved in discussions regarding Israel's status in ice hockey.
“The IOC is aware of the situation and has been discussing this issue with Israel's NOC (National Olympic Committee) and the IIHF over the past few weeks to make its position clear. No discrimination of any kind is a fundamental principle. “They are part of the principles of the Olympic Charter and the IOC will always uphold these principles,” the IOC said.
Carolina Hurricanes helmets in the locker room before a game against the Ottawa Senators at PNC Arena on February 24, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)
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“As the competition in question is held under the authority of the IIHF and not the IOC, we refer any further questions regarding this matter to the IIHF.”
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