Pakistan, Oct. 10 -- Indonesia has denied visas to Israeli gymnasts, preventing them from competing in the upcoming World Artistic Gymnastics Championship in Jakarta. The event, scheduled for October 19 to 25, will now proceed without Israel's participation. Officials said the decision reflects Indonesia's long-standing policy of not engaging diplomatically with Israel until it recognizes an independent and fully sovereign Palestinian state.

Senior legal affairs minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra confirmed that visa requests from the Israeli delegation were rejected following objections from Islamic clerics and civic groups. He emphasized that the move aligns with Indonesia's commitment to support Palestine. The Indonesian gymnastics federati...