ISRAEL IS BANNED BECAUSE IT'S ISRAEL, NOT BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS

EDITORIAL: Shameful ban punishes Israeli hockey teams

 

Toronto Sun 

Jan 12, 2024

 

Israel national hockey team members at the IIHF world championships in Mexico City, April 2019.

 

The spineless decision by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to ban Israel from international competition is a shameful act of cowardice.

 

In a statement this week, the IIHF said it “has decided to restrict the Israeli National Team from participating in IIHF Championships until the safety and wellbeing of all participants, (including Israeli participants) can be assured.”

 

The language used to justify the ban is similar to that used by IIHF to ban Russian and Belarus teams from competition last year.

There’s a huge difference between Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Belarus’ complicity in that, and what’s happening in the Middle East. Israel did not instigate the war. For those with short memories, the terrorist group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, murdering more than 1,200 civilians, raping and wounding countless others and taking 240 hostage.

The military response by Israel in Gaza can’t be compared to the unprovoked attack on Ukraine by Russia. Most Western nations have imposed sanctions against Russia for their actions.

In fairness, Israel is hardly a hockey powerhouse. Its men’s team is ranked 33rd out of 58 in the world and was set to compete in the second division in the IIHF Championships in Serbia in April. Its women’s team, ranked last in the world, was set to take part in the championship in Estonia in March.

That’s not the point. This sets a template for other sports organizations when it comes to bans at other international events.

The Olympics are coming up in Paris this year. It would be unfair and unethical to bar Israel from competing. The only country that’s suffered from a lack of security at an international event in recent memory is, ironically, Israel.

In Munich in 1972, 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage and subsequently murdered after eight Palestinian terrorists, part of the so-called Black September group, broke into the Olympic compound.

Fast forward to 2024, and Israelis are being punished — for defending themselves once again against Palestinian terrorists.

The IIHC said there were “discussions with the participating countries and discussions with the hosts.” We’d like to know what Canada’s input was in that debate. We’d hope this country showed courage and integrity and spoke up for Israel.

Hockey is a brave sport and deserves better than this gutless decision.