Israel gymnastics team says its security cleared athletes to enter Indonesia despite being banned for 'safety'

sraeli national gymnastics team athletes Lihie Raz and Eyal Indig spoke about their experience being forced out of the 2025 World Gymnastics Championships after the Indonesian government denied their team visas to enter the country.

The Israel Gymnastics Federation (IGF) confirmed that its national security team authorized its athletes to enter Indonesia for the World Gymnastics Championships last month, despite the Indonesian government blocking the athletes from entering the country, citing security concerns.

An IGF spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that the country's security team gave clearance to its athletes.

"We received authorization from the Israeli Security Authorities to participate in the World Championship subject to the necessary security protocols in place. From our side all preparations were complete - Registration process, Entry Visas to Indonesia and Israeli Security Authorities confirmation," the IGF said.

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Silver medalists Team Israel celebrate on the podium during the Rhythmic Gymnastics Group All-Around Final medal ceremony on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Porte de La Chapelle Arena on Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Israel men's gymnast Eyal Indig previously told Fox News Digital that his country's security team gave him and his teammates' authorization to enter the city, citing decades-long security measures that the country's sports teams have used since the 1972 Munich Olympics, when eight terrorists associated with the group Black September snuck into the Olympic Village in a failed mission to take Israeli athletes hostage.

"For us, it was very strange," Indig said. "That same security