Almost thirty campaigners representing Palestine support groups from Builth Wells, Llanidloes, Newport, West Wales, and Radnorshire gathered outside the venue.

Carrying flags, banners, and placards, the demonstrators called for the exclusion of Team Israel from the European Bowls Championship Tournament.

25/09/2026. Llandrindod Wells, UK. Anti-genocide activists gather to protest the participation of Israel's national bowls team in the 2026 European Bowls Championships, being held between 19-26th September at the Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club, Powys. Activists take this action in support of reports that: "The International Court of Justice has found it plausible that Israel's conduct in Gaza breaches the Genocide Convention, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israel's leaders and the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry has stated that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip."
Groups from Mid Wales and across the country turned up. (.)

Speaking from the vigil, Heather Huntley, a retired nurse and prominent local peace campaigner from Builth Wells, said: “Our vigil outside the Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club sends a clear and non-violent message: there is no room for racism or apartheid in sport.

“By allowing Team Israel to compete in the European Bowls Championship, international sporting organisations are turning a blind eye to the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the suppression of Palestinian lives. We stand here to echo the call to kick racism out of sport and demand consistency, not double standards.”

Zahid Noor, Interim Convenor of Palestine Solidarity Campaign Cymru, said: “World Bowls had previously banned Israel’s participation in bowls competitions, accepting our arguments. But it then caved to political pressure and reversed that decision. Rolling out the red carpet for an Israeli team while the state of Israel commits genocide is unacceptable.

“The Gleneagles Agreement is a landmark 1977 Commonwealth accord designed to isolate apartheid South Africa by discouraging any sporting contact or competition with its teams and athletes. Human rights groups have made compelling cases that Israel is an apartheid state, committing racial segregation and discrimination.

”Sports bodies must now implement the Gleneagles Agreement, which clearly states that it should apply to any state committing racial domination. It’s game over for Israel. World Bowls and European Bowls must honour the Gleneagles Agreement in full and ban Team Israel.”

25/09/2026. Llandrindod Wells, UK. Anti-genocide activists gather to protest the participation of Israel's national bowls team in the 2026 European Bowls Championships, being held between 19-26th September at the Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club, Powys. Activists take this action in support of reports that: "The International Court of Justice has found it plausible that Israel's conduct in Gaza breaches the Genocide Convention, the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israel's leaders and the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry has stated that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip."
They flew Palestine flags next to the bowls green. (.)

In response to the protestors, the Chairperson of Bowls Europe confirmed the peaceful protest happened but said he was “not aware of any ban by World Bowls on participants in the championships.”

A spokesperson for hosts, Llandrindod Bowls Club, Sam Roff said: “We had plans in place towards it and it was a peaceful protest that was managed by the police for the duration.”