A SCOTTISH Conservative MP has been left fuming after Israel was banned from the upcoming World Indoor Bowls Championships.
Three Israelis were expected to compete at the World Indoor Championships – which will take place in Norfolk in England next month – but their invitations have since been withdrawn following a campaign by pro-Palestinian groups.
Daniel Alomin can no longer compete in the singles, while Amnon Amar and Itai Rigbi have been pulled out of the pairs.
The World Bowls Tour (WBT) announced in a statement there had been a "significant escalation in related political concerns" following the involvement of Israeli bowlers at the Scottish International Open in August.
We told how an Israeli player withdrew from the tournament at the West Lothian Indoor Bowling Club in November after thousands of people signed a petition calling for him to be banned.
The statement from WBT said: “This decision was not taken lightly and has been made in the best interests of the event's success and integrity.
“Bowls is, and always has been, a sport that unites people and this choice reflects our commitment to protecting the Championships and ensuring they run smoothly for everyone involved.”
WBT had faced pressure from several pro-Palestinian groups, including Palestine Action, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Scottish campaign group Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card.
The move was welcomed by Scottish campaign group Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card, which has been campaigning for Israel to be banned from the competition.
However, Scottish Tory MP John Lamont (above) slammed the decision as “appalling”.
In a post on Twitter/X, he said: “This is an appalling decision by the World Bowls Tour.
“They are giving in to the antisemites.
This is an appalling decision by the World Bowls Tour. They are giving in to the antisemites. “Bowls is, and always has been, a sport that unites people,” the World Bowls Tour say - except if you’re Israeli they should have added. pic.twitter.com/48S4bFsT3Z
— John Lamont MP 🇬🇧🏴 (@John2Win) December 30, 2024
“’Bowls is, and always has been, a sport that unites people,’ the World Bowls Tour say - except if you’re Israeli they should have added.”
Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card responded: “Tories be torying”.
Meanwhile, Reform MP Rupert Lowe – who represents the constituency where the competition is set to be held – said he was “genuinely disgusted” by the decision.
He said: “I am genuinely disgusted. As far as I am concerned as the local MP, these individuals are welcome in our constituency.
“What message does this send? If the mob screams and shouts, they can get competitors of a certain nationality banned from entry?
The World Bowls Tour has banned Israeli competitors from participating in the World Indoor Championships, scheduled to take place in my constituency in January. This is following a concerted campaign from the pro-Palestine mob to have these Israelis barred from competing. I am… pic.twitter.com/EjhoLNOFDj
— Rupert Lowe MP (@RupertLowe10) December 30, 2024
“It is insanity, pure insanity. The organisers are cowards. Sport should be a unifier, and it should be above politics.
“As the local MP, I will fight this outrageous decision.”
The Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card account responded: “Reform MP is raging about opposition to genocide. Colour us shocked.”
The move comes as calls have intensified to ban Israel from competing in other sports, such as football.
Campaign groups have called for Israel to be banned from competing in UEFA tournaments, after Israeli fans clashed with Dutch fans in Amsterdam in November following a Europa League game.
Israeli football fans were seen attacking houses with Palestinian flags before violence erupted in the Dutch capital.
While UEFA has banned competition matches from being played in Israel “until further notice” due to safety and security concerns, Israel and teams from the country have not been banned from participating in competitions altogether.
