Indonesia pulls out of Fed Cup tie in Israel

JAKARTA: Indonesia has pulled out of a Fed Cup tennis tie with Israel in Tel Aviv this month because of Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip, the foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Israel has launched the offensive with the goal of forcing Palestinian militants in Gaza to release a soldier they captured in a cross-border raid on June 25.

Women players from Indonesia had been due to take on Israel in a World Group II playoff on July 15-16.

Foreign ministry spokesman Desra Percaya said on Thursday they would not play the tie, citing Indonesia's "solidarity with the Palestinian people because there is Israel aggression and detention of Palestinian leaders, and attacks on civil installations".

Indonesia recognised the decision might result in its tennis association being fined but considered the humanitarian issue over the Israeli action more important, he said.

At an Indonesian Tennis Association news conference later in the day, Angelique Widjaja, one of her country's top players, said the decision had been out of the athletes' hands.

"We as the players of course are sad," she said. "But maybe the government decision is the best."

Association chairwoman Martina Widjaja (no relation) said the move meant "a wide range of penalties are open including suspension from the competition, demotion and a financial penalty".

Indonesia is a staunch supporter of an independent Palestinian state and a critic of Israel, with which it does not have diplomatic relations.

The issue is important to many local Muslim and secular politicians in Indonesia, the world's third-largest democracy.

Israel's tennis association had said on Tuesday preparations for the tie were going ahead.