Four Israeli athletes were excluded from the international triathlon in Derry, Northern Ireland, scheduled to take place Saturday, because the organizers said there would not be Israeli representation at the event.

The North West Triathlon Club (NWTC), organizer of the City of Derry Triathlon 2026, issued a statement Thursday night saying that it could not support Israeli representation at the triathlon, which is part of the Europe Triathlon Cup.

“This is not a position directed at anyone because of their religion or ethnicity, nor is it hostility towards an individual simply because they were born in Israel,” NWTC said, while confirming that was exactly what it was doing. “It is a position concerning representation of the State of Israel in international sport and the attempt to present normality on the international sporting stage while Palestinians continue to suffer.”

More than 600 athletes from about 20 countries will be participating in the event.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member Julie Middleton slammed the decision, saying that it was “an awful reflection on Londonderry.”

“An international sporting event that should showcase our city’s hospitality and openness has instead become associated with the exclusion of athletes because they are Israeli,” she said.

Anti-Israel activists, on the other hand, cheered the move.

A flyer circulated online with a message titled “BDS Victory.”

“Triathletes from Israel will no longer be participating in the City of Derry triathlon!” the flyer said. “Within 24 hours of it being made public, the people of Derry used their collective voice.”

“The message was clear,” it added.

“Israelis are not welcome and should not be allowed to participate in sporting events here or anywhere in the world,” it declared.

The Israel Foreign Ministry criticized the NWTC for its decision.

“The decision by North West Triathlon Club (NWTC) in Londonderry to not allow Israeli athletes to compete is deeply troubling,” the ministry posted on X. “Sport should bring people together, not become a vehicle for discrimination and division. If the NWTC cannot provide safety to all participants and event goers, it raises serious questions as to the ability to hold any future events.”

“NWTC must allow uphold the principles of equality, fairness and inclusion. Israeli athletes must be afforded the same right to compete as athletes from every other nationality,” the ministry added.