Three Israeli athletes learned this week that their nationality has disqualified them from professional sports.

The World Bowls Tour (WBT) announced on Monday its decision to withdraw invitations for Daniel Alonim, Amnon Amar, and Itai Rigbi from the upcoming World Indoor Championships, citing what it dubbed “political concerns” from pro-Hamas groups. The championship event is scheduled for January 2025 at Potters Resorts in Hopton-on-Sea, near Great Yarmouth, England.

While Americans might picture casual backyard bowling, in Britain bowls stands as a prestigious sport of precision and strategy. Players roll asymmetrically weighted balls that curve along their path toward a small white target ball. The sport has since evolved from its traditional grass-court origins to include professional indoor competitions, complete with televised tournaments and substantial prize purses.

Driving the WBT’s ban was an aggressive online campaign by anti-Israel NGO Action Network, which demanded the removal of what they called “nationals belonging to the apartheid and genocidal state” from competition.

In a meek justification, WBT directors released a statement claiming their decision was “not taken lightly.”

“This decision was not taken lightly and has been made in the best interests of the event’s success and integrity. Bowls is, and always has been, a sport that unites people and this choice reflects our commitment to protecting the championships and ensuring they run smoothly for everyone involved.”

The controversy emerged following what the WBT described as a “significant escalation” of disruption during last month’s Scottish International Open in West Lothian. That event was plagued by an organized boycott campaign amid Israel’s defensive response to the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023.

Jewish advocacy groups swiftly condemned the WBT’s decision.

“It is deeply ironic and paradoxical that the directors should attempt to justify their decision to exclude individuals named in their press release by reference to how ‘bowls is, and always has been, a sport that unites people and this choice reflects our commitment to protecting the championships and ensuring they run smoothly for everyone’. We call upon the directors to reverse their decision,” a statement by UK’s Jewish Board of Deputies reads.

It remains to be seen whether WBT will reverse their decision in time for the games. Until then, three Israeli bowlers are paying the price for nothing less than institutional antisemitism.