Gaza War Prompts Jordan Boycott
Jordan has withdrawn from its scheduled FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup match against Israel in a move widely seen as an expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
The match was set to take place on Sunday in Switzerland as part of Group C action. However, following discussions between the Jordanian team's technical and administrative staff, the Jordan Basketball Federation (JBF) formally requested to withdraw from the fixture.
FIBA confirmed the withdrawal in an official statement, awarding a 20-0 victory to Israel by default in line with tournament rules.
The JBF said its decision aligned with the federation's core values and principles. While the statement did not explicitly reference Gaza, Jordanian media outlets and regional commentators made the connection clear. The move quickly gained traction across social media, where users across the Arab world praised Jordan's stance as one of moral clarity.
Many described the decision as 'a moral victory greater than any sporting result,' with messages reinforcing that 'the Palestinian cause is indivisible.'
Israel's basketball federation expressed disappointment with the outcome. President Amos Frishman said he believes sport should be a bridge between cultures, not a political battleground.
The game will not be rescheduled.
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