Indonesia's treatment of Israeli gymnasts prompts criticism but also acceptance from sport's global chief

Nadav Rudaeff, whose father Lior Rudaeff was killed during the Oct. 7 attacks, joins ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ to react to the latest hostage releases and to praise the Trump administration’s push to bring every fallen hostage home.

Controversy grew over the Indonesian government's denial of visas to the Israeli national gymnastics team Saturday, when the president of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) spoke out about it. 

FIG President Morinari Watanabe addressed the situation at a press conference early Saturday morning, saying he agrees with recent concern over the situation expressed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in a statement Friday ahead of the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta, which begin Sunday. 

"I agree [with] the statement of the IOC," Watanabe said. "Sports is separate from politics. All athletes have an equal right to participate in the sports event. The IOC and FIG must protect that right. This is for the Olympic charter we are writing."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

International Gymnastics Federation President Morinari Watanabe speaks during a press conference in Lausanne, Switzerland, Jan. 30.  (Fabrice Coffrini/Pool/Getty Images)

Watanabe added that FIG "deeply regrets" the lack of protection for the Israeli gymnasts but indicated respect for the Indonesian government's decision. 

"At FIG we deeply regret that we are unable to protect the rights of one country's athletes this time. But, on the other hand, with the global situation changing, how to protect participating athletes is a challenge," he said.

"We have heard from the Indonesian government that this was a measure of ensuring safety of participating athletes, including