IOC rebuke sparks backlash in Indonesia, gives Prabowo tailwind

Palestine supporters defend refusal to admit Israeli athletes, call for Sukarno-era games

20251023 JKT gymnastics

Jakarta hosts the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships this week. The government's refusal to grant visas to Israeli athletes sparked the ire of the International Olympic Committee but won the hearts of many Indonesians. © Reuters

NATSUMI KAWASAKI and REZHA HADYAN

JAKARTA -- The International Olympic Committee's censure of Indonesia over its rejection of Israeli gymnasts' visas has spurred a backlash in the world's largest predominantly Muslim nation, with experts saying the controversy could boost President Prabowo Subianto's popularity.

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