Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser Image: AFP
The world ice hockey association excludes all Israeli national teams from its events “for security reasons”. The German association reacts with dismay, and the Interior Minister also chooses clear words.
Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is calling on the world ice hockey association to make a U-turn in the case of Israel. The IIHF must “completely reverse the exclusion of Israel. And the world association must create transparency as to how this wrong decision could come about,” said the SPD politician to “Bild”.
The IIHF initially excluded Israel from all world championships on Thursday for “security reasons” and justified the decision by saying it wanted to protect all participants in its competitions. Sports Minister Faeser would like a different solution. The safety of all teams should be “guaranteed through high security precautions and the safest possible venues.”
“Sport must show that it stands on the side of Jewish athletes,” emphasized Faeser: “Excluding the Israeli team, of all people, against whom threats are directed, means nothing other than capitulation to hatred.”
Published/Updated: Recommendations: 13 Valentin Teufel Published/Updated: Recommendations: 1 Bernd Schwickerath Published/Updated: Recommendations: 1
The German Ice Hockey Association had previously reacted with regret to the exclusion. “We are dismayed that the Israeli national teams will not be able to take part in the upcoming tournaments,” said a DEB statement. Hours after the IIHF’s move, the Israeli association announced a protest against the decision at the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
