World Climbing Assembly Cancels Vote on Banning Israel, Russia, and Belarus

The World Climbing Association recently canceled a vote on suspending the national climbing federations of Israel, Russia, and Belarus from international competition. The decision, made during a virtual General Assembly on July 23, followed last-minute motions from U.S., Australian, and Cypriot federations to halt the vote. Instead, a unified motion was approved, calling for the Executive Board to develop a "principles-based framework" for determining national participation.

• Climbers for Palestine Spain, an advocacy group, had spearheaded the campaign to suspend Israel's Association for Sport Climbing and Mountaineering in Israel (ILCA), arguing that the ILCA promotes climbing on land in the occupied West Bank where Palestinians have been expelled, violating international law.
• Michael Concannon, a representative for Climbers for Palestine Colorado, stated, "We are deeply concerned that the ILCA is permitted to engage in activities that contribute to serious breaches of international law, including the annexation of climbing crags in the occupied West Bank."
• The article highlights that Palestinian climbers face significant obstacles in the West Bank, including military checkpoints, settler violence, and administrative detentions, with some crags becoming inaccessible to Palestinians while being promoted by the ILCA under new Hebrew names.
• Marc Norman, CEO of USA Climbing, commented on the new framework, saying, "This framework does not shield any federation from consequences. USA Climbing believes this approach protects the integrity, autonomy, and credibility of World Climbing."