The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has made the decision to prohibit Israel’s ice hockey team from taking part in world championships, citing safety concerns. This move, announced on the IIHF’s website, reveals that the decision stems from the organization’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants, including those from Israel.
The IIHF clarified that the decision was reached after careful consideration, a comprehensive risk assessment, discussions with the participating countries, and consultations with the hosts of the championships. The use of security concerns as a basis for exclusion echoes similar measures taken by the IIHF when Russia and Belarus were barred from participating in global tournaments due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The background to this decision is situated in the complex geopolitical landscape of the region. Israel has been engaged in a conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 7. This latest bout of hostilities was triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel, resulting in the loss of approximately 1,200 lives. The conflict has been ongoing, and since the commencement of Israel’s offensive, over 23,000 people have lost their lives, including children, journalists, and UN aid workers.
A significant number of individuals, around 1.9 million out of the approximately two million people residing in Gaza, have been displaced as a consequence of the conflict. The complexity and gravity of the situation have raised concerns about the safety of participants, leading to the IIHF’s decision to restrict Israel’s participation in its championships until assurances about the safety and well-being of all participants can be guaranteed.