JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 24(AP) -- Indonesia will allow its national women's tennis team to take part in a Fed Cup playoff at Israel in July, despite the absence of diplomatic relations between the nations.

August Ferry Raturandang, deputy secretary-general of Indonesian Tennis Association, on Wednesday said Indonesia's Foreign Ministry would not prevent the players from traveling to Tel Aviv and would be helped in acquiring travel documents.

It had been unclear if the players would go because of Indonesia's delicate political relationship with the Middle Eastern country.

The Indonesian tennis association, known as Pelti, had asked the International Tennis Federation to move the venue to a neutral country. But the ITF declined to intervene in the matter and Israel insisted that the July 14-15 competition go ahead as planned in Tel Aviv.

The Indonesians earlier refused to compromise, saying they would prefer to pay a US$5,000 (€4,000) fine and be banned for one year for not showing up.

Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Desra Percaya said Wednesday "it is possible" for the Indonesia team to play in Israel and his office would help facilitate the trip.

Indonesia, which has the largest population of Muslims in the world, has long supported Palestinian independence and has no diplomatic relations with the Jewish state.

Palestine's foreign minister is scheduled to arrive in Jakarta on Thursday for a two-day official visit.

The two countries have matched up in the women's Fed Cup twice _ in 1974 at Italy and at Japan in 1981. Israel defeated Indonesia on both occasions.

Indonesia must win July's playoff to stay in World Group II.