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World Bowls Tour revokes ban on Israeli bowlers

Israeli players will be allowed to compete in January's World Indoor Bowls Championships after tournament organisers revoked a ban imposed amid a campaign by pro-Palestinian groups. The World Bowls Tour (WBT) had said in a statement that invitations issued to three Israeli players for the event in Hopton-on-Sea, Norfolk had been withdrawn. That came after a "significant escalation in related political concerns" following the involvement of Israeli bowlers at the Scottish International Open in August. The WBT said the decision "was not taken lightly" and had been made "in the best interests of the event's success and integrity". But in a new statement on Tuesday, it said Daniel Alomin, Amnon Amar and Itai Rigbi could now compete after "significant additional security measures" had been put in place. Alomin will play in the World Open Singles, while Amar and Rigbi will feature in the World Open Pairs. The WBT acknowledged it had been "a difficult time for all involved" and was pleased to reach an outcome that "includes players for all supporting countries". MP Rupert Lowe, whose Great Yarmouth constituency includes Hopton-on-Sea, welcomed the decision. Lowe, who said he was "genuinely disgusted" the players had been banned, wrote on X: "The Israeli team will be welcomed in Great Yarmouth, and I wish them well for the event. "The World Bowls Tour have made the right decision."

The tournament organisers had faced pressure from several pro-Palestinian groups, including Palestine Action and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, to introduce the ban. The Norfolk Palestine Solidarity Campaign had urged its supporters to sign a petition calling for the players' invitations to be rescinded. In its campaign, the group accused Israel of committing apartheid against Palestinians and called for its athletes to be banned under the 1977 Gleneagles Agreement - originally signed to exclude South Africa. Israel strongly denies accusations of apartheid. The Board of Deputies of British Jews described the initial ban as "an overt act of discrimination against Israeli participants". A government spokesperson told BBC Sport the decision was a matter for international sport federations and the national representatives to these federations but added it was "deeply disappointing". The sport's governing body, World Bowls - which is separate to the World Bowls Tour - had stressed Israeli players were still welcome to play in its events. The 14-month war between Israel and Hamas began when Hamas-led gunmen carried out an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. More than 45,000 Palestinians have been killed during the war, according to figures from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. The figures are often disputed by the Israeli government, which says almost 20,000 "terrorists" have been killed, but they are broadly accepted by United Nations agencies. Israel was initially banned from last year's Ice Hockey World Championships, but the decision was later reversed. Across other sports, there has been no ban on Israeli athletes - or the country's national teams.

The Palestine Football Association has called for its Israeli counterpart to be suspended by world governing body Fifa, but no decision has yet been taken.

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