The Israeli delegation will no longer be participating in a European frisbee tournament in Ghent over the next few days, after officials deemed the situation too dangerous.
A total of 11 countries, including Israel, sent 14 to 16-year-olds to compete in the European Youth Ultimate Championship (EYUC). The tournament kicked off at Ghent's Blaarmeersen on Tuesday, with matches scheduled until Saturday 10 August.
The matches played by Israel's delegation – two teams competing in the Open and Mixed divisions – had already been moved to another location outside Ghent for security reasons, however, the sports complex buildings were vandalised with red paint and the message: "BOYCOTT ISRAHELL NOW" – prompting Ghent's authorities to reconsider the situation.
Now, via a mayoral decree endorsed by acting mayor Bram Van Braeckevelt (Groen), they have decided that the delegation cannot participate at all due to security concerns. In the decree, he speaks of a "significant terrorist threat." Since the escalation of conflict in Gaza and the Middle East, the city has seen numerous protests and prolonged occupation of a university building, which also played a role in the decision being made.
"Decisions were based on authorities holding concerns of high-risk disturbance of public order, a significant threat and the inability to guarantee safety at the event if all teams were to participate as planned," organisers of the frisbee tournament, the European Ultimate Federation (EUF) and the European Flying Disc Federation (EFDF), wrote in a statement.
The decree prohibits the teams from participating in the tournament but also bans the presence of the Israeli delegation on the tournament's site.
'Must ensure safety'
The organisers confirmed they will not be seeking a new venue for Israel's matches, and released a revised timetable excluding the Israeli teams.
"Despite our numerous attempts to make EYUC possible for all countries to participate, we are disappointed to have to make this sad announcement and for the overall outcome for all teams who have worked so hard to train and get to the event," they said.
"We must however respect and follow the instructions given by the authorities and we must ensure that safety for all our participants, players, volunteers and spectators is our number one priority."
They also banned any reference related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during the tournament to avoid possible escalation, such as flags, clothing, inscriptions and pamphlets. Local police will be on-site during the tournament– resuming on Wednesday at noon with the teams from 10 other countries still playing – to ensure the local decree is complied with.
The Israel Flying Disc Association has not released a statement about the decision.
