World Climbing Federation Upholds Neutrality, Rejects Suspension of Israeli Climbing Association

After months of diplomatic efforts, the Israeli Climbing Association secured a significant victory at the World Climbing Federation's special assembly on July 23, 2026. The meeting was convened in response to proposals, including one from the Palestinian Federation, seeking to suspend national federations involved in international conflicts, specifically targeting Israel. The assembly voted 43 in favor, 31 against, and 2 abstentions to adopt the principle of neutrality, adhering to the Olympic Charter and International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidelines, thereby rejecting all suspension motions against Israel, Russia, and Belarus.

The World Climbing Federation president emphasized the organization's commitment to separating sports from politics, describing sport as a bridge between people rather than a battleground for geopolitical disputes. Israeli Climbing Association chairman Liad Agmon highlighted Israel's consistent application of this principle, noting Israel's support for the Palestinian Federation's continued membership even after the October 7, 2024 events. Several countries, including Germany, Australia, Cyprus, Russia, and Belarus, also backed the neutrality principle, while the Palestinian Federation, Jordan, and Lebanon pushed for Israel's suspension.

Following the vote, the Israeli Climbing Association's CEO, Amot Paz, called the decision a crucial victory for Israel and the foundational principles of global sport. She credited collaboration with the Israeli Olympic Committee and international partners for protecting Israeli athletes' rights to compete without discrimination. Agmon reiterated the belief that sport should unite rather than divide, expressing satisfaction that most federations endorsed this approach.

This decision comes after a challenging period for Israeli climbing, marked by attempts to undermine its international standing, including the cancellation of the European Youth Championship in Brussels due to unacceptable demands against the Israeli delegation and hostile incidents at international competitions. Despite these challenges, Israeli athletes have achieved unprecedented success in 2026, including multiple occasions where the Israeli national anthem was played at European youth and adult championships. The Israeli Climbing Association pledged to continue focusing on athlete development and defending their right to compete equally on the global stage, thanking the World Climbing Federation, its executive board, the Israeli Olympic Committee, and supporting federations for their commitment to neutrality, equality, and the separation of sport from politics.