Four Israeli athletes were removed from the list of participants in the City of Derry Triathlon in Derry, Northern Ireland, the event organizers confirmed on Thursday.
This followed a request from the Israeli National Federation to "remove all the Israeli athletes entered" according to the BBC.
"The North West Triathlon Club (NWTC), who are organising the race, earlier said they could not support the Israeli athletes taking part," the BBC reported.
NWTC had concerns over "athlete and public safety," if Israelis participated, according to the public broadcaster's report.
The event, slated to occur on Saturday, with participant briefings held on Friday, has a "final start list" of participants, and event organizers confirmed that it "does not include any athletes representing Israel."
"This is not a position directed at anyone because of their religion or ethnicity, nor is it hostility towards an individual simply because they were born in Israel," NWTC said, according to the BBC.
"It is a position concerning representation of the State of Israel in international sport and the attempt to present normality on the international sporting stage while Palestinians continue to suffer," NWTC added.
Police became 'aware of potential protest activity' if Israelis were to participate
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) told BBC's Northern Irish local outlet that it had "become aware of potential protest activity in relation to the event."
"The selection and confirmation of athletes for Europe Triathlon Cup competition is managed by Europe Triathlon, under World Triathlon rules. It is not possible to comment on the circumstances or decisions relating to individual athletes. The Local Organising Committee has no role in selecting the international start list," the event's website reads.
"The selection and confirmation of athletes for Europe Triathlon Cup competition is managed by Europe Triathlon, under World Triathlon rules. It is not possible to comment on the circumstances or decisions relating to individual athletes. The Local Organising Committee has no role in selecting the international start list," it adds.
"Having discussed the event with the LOC and National Federation, Europe Triathlon is confident that the race can proceed safely and provide a safe and enjoyable event for all athletes," the organizers said.
Anti-Zionist groups, local councils praise lack of Israeli athletes as BDS victory, pro-Israeli politician, Jewish community leader denounce decision
The Derry Anti War Coalition, a far Left anti-Zionist group, said on social media that it is "elighted that the triathletes from Israel will no longer be participating in the City of Derry Triathlon."
Additonally, members of the Derry City Council praised the lack of Israeli participants as a victory for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
However, Julie Middleton, one of the five Members of the Legislative Assembly (based in Stormont, Belfast) representing Foyle, which includes Derry, said that the event should have been used to showcase the city's "hospitality and openness," and instead has "become associated with the exclusion of athletes because they are Israeli."
Middleton is from the Democratic Unionist Party, a Protestant party founded by Evangelical Christian preacher Ian Paisley, and its members are generally supportive of Israel.
The city should be one "where visitors and athletes from every background are treated with dignity," Middleton said.
Deputy Chairman of the Belfast Jewish Community Michael Black told BBC Northern Ireland that Israeli athletes not participating is "very disappointing but doesn't come as a surprise."
"Ireland, and I include Derry in this accusation, has the reputation of being one of the most antisemitic countries in Europe," his statement to BBC read.
He aso denounced the city and district council's BDS policies, saying that "many of the accusations that Israeli is accused of are false."
"The Jewish community's sympathy goes out to all the innocent people who have suffered terribly in this war on every side," his statement noted.
"Sport should not be used to divide people as this has done and will do nothing to bring peace to the Middle East," Black emphasized.
Sport should 'not become vehicle for discrimination, division,' Embassy of Israel in London says
The Embassy of Israel in London condemned the incident in a post on X/Twitter on Friday, calling the club's decision "deeply troubling."
"Sport should bring people together, not become a vehicle for discrimination and division," said the post. "If the NWTC cannot provide safety to all participants and event goers, it raises serious questions as to the ability to hold any future events."
The post also called on NWtC to "uphold the principles of equality, fairness and inclusion" and argued that Israeli athletes should have the "same right to compete as athletes from every other nationality."