WC: 2025 Word Championships - DIV II A Melbourne (cancelled?)

[mike14]

Couldn't find anything else on this, and it's pretty minor in the overall ice hockey world, but still relevent; Melbourne was scheduled to host the Div2 championships in April, but according to local media that has been cancelled due to 'security' fears about the attendance of the Israeli team. Victoria Police have said that they aren't aware of any additional security concerns and have provided no advice on whether the tournament should be cancelled.
Israel 'blamed' as Australia cancels ice hockey World Championships - Michael West
The tournament still appears on the IIHF website, but not on the Hockey Australia one and Hockey Australia hasn't really provided any communication although they ave started limiting you can reply to some of their social media posts.

Click to read more...

 

[Coffee]

It’s not minor, but yes it was cancelled

 

[licanin]

It’s not minor, but yes it was cancelled

Is that 100% ? Will they switch hosting to someone else ?

 

[Ratsreign]

Concerns over unrest/possible anti-Semitic violence with Team Israel participating in the tourney.


What a shit show.
Funny the headline linked in op says “Israel ‘blamed’”, but not the anti-Israel people protesting that would be causing any possible problems.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Can they punt Australia and grab a new host?

 

[mike14]

Concerns over unrest/possible anti-Semitic violence with Team Israel participating in the tourney.


What a shit show.
Funny the headline linked in op says “Israel ‘blamed’”, but not the anti-Israel people protesting that would be causing any possible problems.

There would likely be no problems with protests. The Isreal-Premier Tech cycling team is about to start the Tour Down Under and there's no concerns around their safety...
Just remember that Sky News is like Fox News if you removed a few more IQ points, so make of that what you will while watching their stuff.

The speculation going around is that Hockey Australia simply can't fund this, and the Victorian Government, who are flat out broke for all intents and purposes, won't come to the party and provide additional funding. The State was meant to be hosting the Commonwealth Games next year, but pulled the plug on that when they realized they couldn't afford it

Can they punt Australia and grab a new host?

New Zealand are hosting the B group so I do wonder if they are exploring the possibility of them hosting both groups back-to-back (although they might have the same 'concerns' regarding Israel)

 

[Albatros]

Israel wants it to be hosted at the Islanders arena in New York together with Israeli hockey league exhibition games and a Jewish hockey festival.

 

[Hanji]

If its an issue of safety, why not ban Israel and continue with the tournament?

If I’m not mistaken, safety is the reason given by IIHF as to why Russia and Belarus are not participating.

 

[Albatros]

The last time they tried that the Biden administration intervened, it's unlikely that the incoming administration would have different policies in this regard. The IIHF would risk US government sanctions if they touch Israeli participation. And indeed the safety argument in Australia doesn't seem to hold water anyway, seems like an excuse to withdraw from organizing duties. Minding that I'd rather suspend Australia for a year.