Players practice on the portable rink and the playoffs on the bowlers bar rinks. (@WBT_TV)

The World Bowls Tour (WBT) has barred Israeli athletes from competing in the upcoming World Indoor Bowls Championships in Norfolk, citing escalating political concerns.

This decision follows significant pressure from pro-Palestinian groups, including Palestine Action and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, who called for the boycott of Israeli players due to "Israel's" genocidal actions in Gaza.

Three Israeli players—Daniel Alomin, Amnon Amar, and Itai Rigbi—were originally invited to participate in the event, which begins next month in Hopton-on-Sea. However, their invitations have been withdrawn. Daniel Alomin was set to compete in the singles, while Amar and Rigbi were scheduled for the pairs competition.

"This decision was not taken lightly and has been made in the best interests of the event's success and integrity," WBT said in a statement.

The Norfolk Palestine Solidarity Campaign had led efforts to have the players removed, urging supporters to sign a petition. The group accused "Israel" of apartheid and referenced the 1977 Gleneagles Agreement, which was used to exclude South African athletes during the apartheid era, as justification for the ban.

The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of the ongoing Gaza genocide, which has so far caused over 45,000 deaths in Gaza.

Sport tensions

While the WBT has implemented a ban on Israeli athletes, similar exclusions have not been widely adopted across other sports. For example, a ban on "Israel's" participation in the Ice Hockey World Championships last year was later reversed, and FIFA has yet to act on calls by the Palestine Football Association (PFA) to suspend "Israel" from international football.

However, the President of the Norwegian Football Federation recently called on FIFA to investigate "Israel's" violations ahead of the World Cup qualifying match between Norway and "Israel".

In response, the PFA praised Norway's principled stance, stating it reflects a broader global sentiment demanding justice and accountability for "Israel's" actions. The association stressed that FIFA and the international football community cannot remain silent while severe human rights abuses persist.