Arr, me hearties! The NHL be fussin' o'er Israel's spot in global contests. Shiver me timbers!
2024-01-13
Avast ye scurvy dogs! The NHL be speakin' up after the IIHF be thinkin' 'bout banishin' the Israeli ice warriors from their tourneys due to them security concerns. Aye, the seas be rough fer the puck-chasin' pirates!
The NHL has expressed "significant concerns" after the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) considered excluding Israeli teams from its upcoming world championship tournaments due to security concerns. The IIHF initially announced that Israel would not participate in their competitions, but later clarified that the decision only applied to a men's under-20 tournament in Bulgaria. No decision has been made yet regarding the women's and men's world championship tournaments scheduled for March and April. The NHL has voiced its concerns to the IIHF and seeks a better understanding of the decision's scope and rationale. The IIHF stated that their decision is temporary and based on the safety and security of all stakeholders involved. They also assured that it is not a sanction against the Israeli Federation and will not affect their status as a member in good standing. The IIHF hopes to find a way to bring the Israeli National team back into their championship program soon. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza was not mentioned in the organization's statements. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has also been involved in discussions about Israel's place in ice hockey. The IOC emphasized the importance of non-discrimination and referred further questions to the IIHF as the competitions are held under their authority.