Amid security concerns, Australia’s ice hockey federation decided to call off a scheduled international qualifying tournament to be held in the country.
Reports suggest that the decision was taken amid the participation of the Israeli national team. There are fears of attacks on the team as recent Israeli actions in Gaza have received massive public backlash, especially in the West.
Various reports cited an internal email from Ice Hockey Australia (IHA) to the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) saying it could not hold the tournament due to security reasons and fears of attacks on the Israeli team and fans.
IHA, in an official statement, said that “it has decided to cancel the event, which was set to take place in Melbourne in April this year, after consultations with police and security agencies.”
The statement did not mention Israel, with the body saying it could not comment on “global issues outside the sport.”
“The decision was primarily made to ensure the safety and security of athletes, volunteers, spectators, and other participants,” it said. “IHA does not shy away from making this decision with safety at the forefront.”
Earlier in November last year, Israeli football fans clashed with apparent pro-Palestinian protesters before and after a Europa League football match between their team Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax in Amsterdam.
In one video, Israeli supporters were heard singing, "Let the IDF win, and f*** the Arabs!” referring to the Israeli army’s offensive on Gaza. Another video captured a fan screaming, "F*** you terrorists, Sinwar die, everybody die,” about the Hamas leader.
According to Amsterdam city council members, Israeli fans instigated the violence after arriving in the city and attacking Palestinian supporters before the match.
Keeping in view what happened in Amsterdam, hosting Israel in sports tournaments in the West where calls for a ceasefire have grown in recent times has become difficult for the authorities as fears of attacks loom large.
Follow us
