Summary:
- Jordan boycotted its U-19 World Cup game against Israel, citing the Gaza war.
- Israel receives a 20-0 technical win and now holds two victories in the group.
- FIBA has chosen not to expel Jordan, keeping the tournament on schedule.
- The event highlights rising tensions as political conflict enters the sports world.
Jordan’s under-19 basketball team has refused to play against Israel in the 2025 FIBA U-19 Basketball World Cup, citing the ongoing Gaza war. The match was scheduled for Sunday evening at Cooly Arena in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Jordan informed FIBA just hours before tipoff that it would not participate. As a result, Israel has been awarded a 20-0 technical victory.
Israel Gains Win by Forfeit
This is Israel’s second win in the group stage. On Saturday night, it played its first-ever U-19 World Cup game and beat host nation Switzerland 102-77. Jordan previously lost its opening match to the Dominican Republic, 69-79.
During Israel’s game against Switzerland, a protester entered the court waving a Palestinian flag, highlighting the tensions surrounding Israel’s participation.
FIBA Response
Although such a forfeit could have led to Jordan being expelled from the tournament, FIBA chose not to take disciplinary action. Officials said they wanted to avoid disrupting the tournament’s early rounds.
Israeli Reaction
Amos Frishman, chairman of the Israel Basketball Association, expressed disappointment over the boycott:
“I regret the decision of the Jordanian team. I had hoped they would come and play to show everyone that things can be different, especially during this time. Sports should be a bridge between people, not a political arena.”
Background and Context
Jordan’s decision follows growing pressure from pro-Palestinian activists, who had urged the team to boycott the match after the two countries were placed in the same group. Local media reported earlier that Jordanian officials were considering the move to avoid creating a “political storm.”
Jordan has seen large anti-Israel protests since the Gaza war began. In November 2024, a gunman opened fire near the Israeli embassy in Amman, injuring three Jordanian police officers. The attacker was killed.
Sports and Politics Collide
This is not the first time athletes have protested over the war:
- In April 2025, Israel’s U-23 fencing team won gold at the European Championships in Estonia. During the medal ceremony, the Swiss team turned their backs as Israel’s national anthem played.
- FIFA delayed a decision in 2024 on whether to suspend Israel from international play, allowing it to compete in the Paris Olympics.
Gaza War Overview
The war in Gaza started on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages. Israel says around 50 hostages are still held in Gaza, most believed dead.
Israel reports killing over 20,000 Hamas fighters and says it aims to minimize civilian harm. The Gaza Health Ministry, run by Hamas, claims over 53,000 people have died or are missing, though these figures cannot be independently verified.
Israel’s military death toll stands at 440, including police and civilian contractors.
