The NHL said on Saturday it had “significant concerns” after the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) considered excluding Israeli teams from its upcoming world championships over safety concerns.
The IIHF said on Wednesday that “Israel will not participate in IIHF competitions for the time being,” but clarified on Friday that the decision so far only applies to the men's under-20 tournament that begins in Bulgaria on January 22.
The organization said no decision has been made regarding the women's and men's world championships that Israel will play in in March and April, respectively.
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Israel's players celebrate after the IIHF Men's U20 Ice Hockey World Championship third division semi-final game between Turkey and Israel in Istanbul on February 1, 2023. (Mehmet Murat Onel/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The NHL said it expressed its concerns to the IIHF.
“The NHL has significant concerns with the IIHF's announcement on Wednesday regarding the Israeli national team's eligibility and participation in upcoming IIHF events,” the league said. “We expressed those concerns to the IIHF and have attempted to gain a better understanding of both the scope and underlying rationale for the decision that was made.
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“As we understand it, the decision is intended to be temporary in nature and is based solely on the IIHF's overriding concern for the safety of all its stakeholders, including both the Israeli national team and other participating teams.
“Importantly, we have also been assured that the decision is not intended to be a sanction against the Israeli Federation and will not affect the Israeli Federation's status as a full member and in good standing with the IIHF.”
Israel's players celebrate a goal during a game at the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Division II Group B at the Mexico City Ice Dome in Mexico City, Mexico, April 14, 2016. (Manuel Velasquez/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
The IIHF said it hoped to “find a way as soon as possible to bring the Israeli national team back to our championship program.”
The organization's statements did not mention the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Israel had been scheduled to host the men's under-20 event later this month, but it was moved to Bulgaria due to “existing security concerns,” the IIHF said.
The International Olympic Committee said Friday it was involved in talks about Israel's place in ice hockey.
“The IOC is aware of the situation and has discussed the matter with the NOC (National Olympic Committee) of Israel and the IIHF over the past few weeks and has made its position very clear. Non-discrimination of any kind is part of the fundamental principles “The principles of the Olympic Charter, and the IOC will always uphold these principles,” the IOC said.
A Carolina Hurricanes helmet in the locker room before a game against the Ottawa Senators at PNC Arena on February 24, 2023, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)
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“As the competitions in question are not held under the authority of the IOC but rather under the authority of the IIHF, we refer you to the IIHF for any further questions on this matter.”
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