A group of Nova Scotia flag football players who were supposed to represent Team Canada at the world championships in Jerusalem, has been sidelined.

The event has been cancelled because of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"I was a little devastated,” says player Grant Myles.

"But at the same time we're a little bit concerned about going over there at this time, so a little bit of relief as well,” adds player Shane Gushue.

Due to travel and safety concerns, organizers unanimously voted to postpone the world championships in Israel.

"It's something you're excited for, to represent your country, and to have something happen, to bring home a gold medal.” says Myles. “But I mean, at the end of the day, is there any reward worth the risk of your life at the same time?”

Over the past three weeks, fighting between Israeli forces and the Palestinian militant group Hamas has killed more than one thousand Palestinians, 43 Israeli soldiers, and two Israeli civilians.

"You hate to see a sport get interrupted by politics but it happens, it happened in the past and it's happening again,” says Football Canada President Richard MacLean. “Basically our number one priority was our athlete’s safety and that's what we're working from.”

The team says they have been playing close attention to international news, even on the field.

Israel has been scheduled as the host venue for the past two years.

The championships were scheduled to start two weeks from now and flights for the team are already booked.

"Hopefully we're able to reschedule our flights, but we are concerned it's going to cost us a little extra,” says Gushue.

Team Nova Scotia has earned the right to represent team Canada for the past six years. Even if the World Flag Football Championships are postponed to next year, Team Nova Scotia will still wear the Canadian jersey.

Organizers say they are currently discussing a contingency plan.

"Are we going to look at another venue? Which is a possibility, this event is every two years, so we'd like to get this one done this year sometime,” says MacLean.

There is still no decision as to where the new venue will be and when.

However, the players say they have reason to believe it has a chance of being in Sicily, Italy, which recently hosted the European Championships.

With files from CTV’s Amanda Debison