Indonesia Billie Jean King Cup Team and Israel

Indonesia and Israel met twice during the era when the Fed Cup — the women's counterpart to the Davis Cup — was held as a concentrated tournament in one host country rather than through the later home-and-away format.[1] In 1974, the competition was staged in Naples, Italy, where Israel defeated Indonesia 2–1 in the first round.[1] A second meeting followed in 1981 in Tokyo, Japan, where Israel won 3–0.[1] The neutral settings for both ties resulted from the competition's format rather than a request by either country.[1]

Former Israeli Fed Cup player Janine Strauss recalled that she and teammate Paulina Peled contested the 1974 Naples tie without a captain, coach, medical support, reserve players, or national uniforms for public appearances.[2] Her account illustrates the limited resources then available to the Israeli team.[2]

In July 2006, Indonesia was drawn to face Israel in a Fed Cup World Group II playoff scheduled for Tel Aviv on July 15–16.[3][1] The Indonesian Tennis Association initially barred its players from participating following the draw. Indonesian leaders later approved the players' travel, but the decision remained unresolved when Ynet reported on the dispute on July 4.[1] Indonesia had previously threatened to withhold players from Israel because the countries lacked diplomatic relations, but had relented and permitted them to travel.[1]

Indonesia later canceled the tie after asking for the venue to be moved to another country.[3] In the earlier report, the Israel Tennis Association said it had received no formal cancellation notice and continued to expect the Indonesian team to arrive on July 13.[1] The ITF alleged that the eventual withdrawal was politically motivated, while Indonesian Tennis Association secretary general Ferry Raturandang said the decision arose from "security, not political, concerns."[3] During the earlier deliberations, Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Desra Percaya stated: "In light of the Israeli army's attack in Gaza and the harm to the civilian population, we are reconsidering our steps."[1] Indonesia had no diplomatic relations with Israel at the time.[1]

The ITF ordered Indonesia to pay US$31,600 and barred the country from Fed Cup competition the following year.[3] The penalty was itemized as US$5,000 for withdrawing, US$6,600 to reimburse the ITF's preparation costs, and US$20,000 to Israel as the host nation.[3] Raturandang said Indonesia had until December 20 to appeal and would likely do so.[3]

The central controversy concerned Indonesia's motive for withdrawing. Indonesian tennis officials publicly described the decision as a security measure, while the ITF alleged that it was politically motivated.[3] The absence of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Israel provided a persistent backdrop, while Indonesian government representatives also cited the Israeli military operation in Gaza and reported civilian harm.[1]

The timing of the reports is important to the record. Ynet's July 4 report said the participation decision remained unresolved and that the Israel Tennis Association still expected Indonesia to arrive.[1] The Jerusalem Post subsequently reported on November 16 that Indonesia had canceled the match and had been penalized by the ITF.[3]