Israeli players will be allowed to compete in the World Indoor Bowls Championships after tournament organisers revoked a ban on them competing in the event.
The World Bowls Tour (WBT) had claimed there had been a “significant escalation in related political concerns” after the involvement of three Israeli bowlers at the Scottish International Open in August.
But in a new statement on December 31st it was confirmed that Daniel Alomin, Amnon Amar and Itai Rigbi could now compete in this month’s tournament after “significant additional security measures” had been put in place.
The announcement came on the same day 100 MPs and peers had written a letter to WBT expressing anger at the decision to stop the Israelis taking part.
Organised to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Antisemitism the letter noted the parliamentarians “profound concern” over the decision.
A government spokesperson told BBC Sport the decision was a matter for international sport federations and the national representatives to these federations but added it was “deeply disappointing”.
The Conservative Friends of Israel, and UK Lawyers For Israel organisations had also expressed their own anger at the ban.
MP Rupert Lowe, whose Great Yarmouth constituency includes Hopton-on-Sea, welcomed the decision.
Lowe, who said he was “genuinely disgusted” the players had been banned, wrote on X: “The Israeli team will be welcomed in Great Yarmouth, and I wish them well for the event.
“The World Bowls Tour have made the right decision.”
The Board of Deputies described the initial ban as “an overt act of discrimination against Israeli participants”.
The tournament organisers had faced pressure from several pro-Palestinian groups, including Palestine Action and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, to introduce the ban.
The WBT later acknowledged it had been “a difficult time for all involved” and was pleased to reach an outcome that “includes players for all supporting countries”.
Alomin will play in the World Open Singles, while Amar and Rigbi will feature in the World Open Pairs.
