Back in November, I posted how an Israeli who was set to compete at the Scottish International Open bowls tournament withdrew due to harassment from the Israel-haters/antisemites. As I mentioned at the time, the haters then called on any representative from Israel, that may have planned to compete in the World Championships in Norfolk, in January 2025, to also withdraw.
The haters’ sustained pressure seemed to have worked after the World Bowls Tour (WBT) withdrew their invitation to the World Indoor Bowls Championships at Great Yarmouth, UK to the Israeli players, writing in a social media post that the “difficult decision” had “not been taken lightly.” The WBT claimed the decision had been made “in the best interests of the event’s success and integrity.” They continued: “Bowls is, and has always been, a sport that unites people and this choice reflects our commitment to protecting the championships and ensuring they run smoothly for everyone involved.”
Because nothing says you want to “unite people” as much as excluding a certain nation of people from your event.
This was clearly a preposterous decision, and the good guys fought back…and won!
The decision to prevent Israeli competitors from taking part in the World Indoor Bowls Championships later this month has been reversed.
The Board of the World Bowls Tour (WBT), the competition’s organisers, wrote to Zvika Hadar, President of the Professional Bowlers Association in Israel, and apologised for the withdrawal of the invitation to Israeli competitors Daniel Alomin, Amnon Amar and Itai Rigbi.
In the letter, they expressed sorrow “for any upset or offence that we have caused by the withdrawal of the invitation to the three members of PBA Israel in advance of the January 2025 championships.”
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The decision to prevent Israelis from taking part was met with widespread outrage.
Over 100 parliamentarians, including shadow home secretary Chris Philp, Conservative Friends of Israel Chair Suella Braverman and former Labour Deputy leader Lord Watson had signed a letter urging the WBT to reverse their decision.
Another signatory, JC director Lord Ian Austin, posted on X that: “It’s good the ban was dropped. Sports bodies, businesses, universities & other bodies must stand up to BDS & racist campaigns to single out the world’s only Jewish state”.
The Board of Deputies, who were “appalled” by the original decision, said it was “right” that it had been reversed.
Senior Vice President Adrian Cohen said that: “Sports bodies are now facing the same sort of intimidation from extreme pro-Palestine groups that the Jewish community, UK politicians, and businesses with real or imagined links to Israel, have faced for more than a year.
He continued: “As a society, we need to stand up to the bullies who call for discriminatory practices that may be a breach of equalities legislation, and undermine the cohesion of our society.”
Rupert Lowe MP – who represents Great Yarmouth where the competition is to be held – said in a post on social media that: “the decision has been reversed following public pressure.”
“This is how you deal with the bullies taking to the streets of OUR country every weekend. Stand up to them, don’t accept their hateful tactics. The Israeli team will be welcomed in Great Yarmouth, and I wish them well for the event.” the member of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK went on to say.
That’s how it’s done, and I am glad the WBT found their bowls in the end. But while the plot thickens, the thick plot:
Meanwhile, while I don’t do Bowls, I do do Bowling, and if the Israeli team want me to join, I am fine with it.
My secret sauce is imagining the pins are Hamasholes… or Houthis who interrupted my sleep yet again.
