Jakarta. Indonesia’s government on Thursday defended its position following the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to recommend that no international sporting events be held in the country after it barred Israeli athletes from the Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta.

Youth and Sports Minister Erick Thohir stated that Indonesia’s response to the IOC was based on the country’s 1945 Constitution.

“We at the Youth and Sports Ministry, as representatives of the Indonesian government, uphold the principle of maintaining security, public order, and public interest in every international event,” Erick said in a statement. “This step is in accordance with the laws and regulations in force, and it is based on the 1945 Constitution, which obliges Indonesia to help maintain world order.”

Erick said the government remained firm in its position despite the IOC’s recommendation and insisted that sports should continue to serve as a reflection of national pride and global participation.

“The IOC’s statement does not worry us,” he said. “Indonesia will continue to play an active role in sports at the Southeast Asian, Asian, and global levels so that our athletes can represent the nation’s strength and spirit to the world.”

The IOC executive board announced on Wednesday that it was suspending discussions with Indonesia regarding the hosting of any future Olympic-related events, including the Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games. The committee said its recommendation came after Indonesian officials declared that Israeli athletes would not be granted visas to compete at the world gymnastics championships, which began on October 19 in Jakarta.

The IOC said the move violated Olympic principles of non-discrimination, autonomy, and political neutrality, emphasizing that “all eligible athletes, teams, and sports officials must be able to take part in international competitions without discrimination by the host country.”

Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, and the participation of Israeli athletes has sparked strong opposition domestically.

The IOC said it would recommend international sports federations avoid staging tournaments or meetings in Indonesia until the government provided “adequate guarantees” that all participants would be allowed entry regardless of nationality.

The Indonesian Olympic Committee has been invited to the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, to discuss the issue and seek a resolution.