World Bowls Tour bar Israeli players from Norfolk event

Three Israeli international bowls players have been prevented from participating in the upcoming World Indoor Bowls Championships in Norfolk after pressure from pro-Palestine activists.

Amnon Amar, Itai Rigbi and Daniel Alonim are no longer welcome at the event at Potters Resorts, Hopton-on-Sea, Great Yarmouth next month.

The decision to disinvite them was made by the board of directors of the World Bowls Tour (WBT), the organisers of the event.

It comes after the Norfolk Palestine Solidarity Campaign (NPSC) launched a social media campaign, calling on the event’s hosts, Hopton Potters Resort, to boycott the Israeli bowlers.

Hopton Potters Resort said it had no role in the decision to disinvite the Israelis and it remains a “neutral venue”.

The Board of Deputies said it was “appalled” by the WBT’s decision and has condemned the boycott as “discrimination”. 

In a post on X, the Board said; "There can be no justification for this overt act of discrimination against Israeli participants, who are excluded solely on the basis of their nationality, which may be a breach of applicable equalities legislation.”

In a press release published to social media, the event’s organiser, WBT, said it made the decision after challenges involving the participation of an Israeli player at the Scottish International Open at West Lothian in November.

Israeli national qualifier Shalom Ben Ami withdrew from the Scottish competition after more than 4,000 people signed a petition, organised by Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card (The Red Card Group) and Scottish Sport for Palestine (SSP), against his participation.

The same groups, supported by Palestine activists in Norfolk, have now successfully lobbied against Israeli involvement in the upcoming World Indoor Bowls Championships..

Activists accused Israel of “genocide” and “apartheid” to argue why the players should be boycotted.

They invoked the Gleneagles Agreement of 1977, where Commonwealth countries boycotted sporting contacts with South Africa.

In a press release on December 19, the event’s organisers, WBT, wrote:

“Due to recent challenges experienced by the WBT directors regarding the involvement of Israeli bowlers at the WBT Scottish International Open at West Lothian, Scotland, there has been a significant escalation in related political concerns.

“Therefore, as a result of the intensity of the situation, the WBT Board, in consultation with our event partners and other relevant stakeholders, has made the difficult decision to withdraw the invitation for Israel to participate in the forthcoming World Indoor Championships.”

The decision affects Alomin in the singles competition, as well as Amar and Rigbi in the pairs.

The WBT added that the decision “was not taken lightly and has been made in the best interests of the events success and integrity. Bowls is, and always has been, a sport that unites people and this choice reflects our commitment to protecting the Championships and ensuring they run smoothly for everyone involved.”

The pro-Palestine activists were set to protest against Israeli participation in the event at a demonstration today in Norwich called “Demonstration against IDF Competitors coming to Norfolk”. 

It was called off after WBT announced yesterday that it had disinvited the Israeli players.