The highly anticipated 22nd Maccabiah Games in July have officially been postponed, the Maccabi World Union, the Maccabiah Organizing Committee, and the Culture and Sports Minister, Miki Zohar, said on Monday.

Given the ongoing security crisis and the recent escalation regarding the Islamic Republic and its proxies, the agencies said, it has been decided to suspend the opening event and games until the summer of 2026.

The announcement follows the declaration of a national state of emergency, which was extended by the government through June 30, 2025, amid heightened tensions triggered by Operation Rising Lion – Israel’s campaign against Iran.

The complex and volatile security situation, coupled with continued restrictions on air travel and stringent guidelines from the Home Front Command, has made it impossible to proceed safely and effectively with the games as planned.

Maccabiah 2025 was expected to be largest-ever held in Israel

Originally set to run from July 8 to July 22, 2025, and expected to be the largest Maccabiah ever held, the games were to bring together over 8,000 Jewish athletes from 55 different countries, competing in 45 sports across dozens of cities in Israel.
Delegations take part in the opening ceremony of the 20th Maccabiah Games, a quadrennial Jewish sports extravaganza which takes place in Israel, at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem July 6, 2017 (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
Delegations take part in the opening ceremony of the 20th Maccabiah Games, a quadrennial Jewish sports extravaganza which takes place in Israel, at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem July 6, 2017 (credit: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun)
The opening ceremony, which was scheduled for July 10 at Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium, was to feature performances by top Israeli musicians such as Itay Levy, Eden Golan, and Idan Raichel, and would be hosted by popular television personalities Anna Aronov and Assi Azar.

Paralympic gold medalist Asaf Yasur and Olympic silver medalist Raz Hershko were selected to light the ceremonial torch.

“The Maccabiah 2025 was meant to be a symbol of hope, restoration, and resilience for the Jewish people after one of the most difficult years in our generation,” said Assaf Goren, the Maccabiah’s chairperson.

“We were nearly at the starting line. But after careful evaluation with the Culture and Sports Ministry and security authorities, we realized that the most responsible course of action, both logistically and morally, was to delay by a year,” he said.

Zohar echoed those sentiments. “Following our operation in Iran and many security assessments, we concluded that there was no choice but to postpone the Maccabiah until 2026.”

“I thank the organizers, our global Jewish partners, and the athletic federations for their support. We will return next year with a stronger and braver Israel,” Zohar said.

Games were to promote global Jewish unity in wake of October 7

The postponement is particularly poignant in light of the symbolic significance this Maccabiah had taken on. Branded under the slogan “More than ever,” the 2025 games were designed to promote global Jewish unity and resilience in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks and the subsequent Israel-Hamas War.

Expo Maccabiah City, a sprawling sports and culture complex in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, was set to offer visitors immersive exhibitions, innovative showcases, and family-friendly activities.

With a record number of host cities, including Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Jerusalem, Haifa, Herzliya, Sderot, and several towns near the Gaza border, the 2025 edition also aimed to deliver a significant economic and morale boost to Israel through tourism, sports diplomacy, and cultural exchange.

The return of Tel Aviv-Jaffa as a central host city, for the first time in nearly a century, was regarded by many as a powerful message of resilience and inclusivity.

Tel-Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai had originally said, “Our city, which champions freedom, openness, and progress, is a natural stage for this global celebration of a sporting spirit and Jewish unity. Especially during this period, sports remind us of the power of partnership, pride, and connection – values that have accompanied our people throughout history.”

The Maccabiah, often referred to as the “Jewish Olympics,” is the third-largest sporting event in the world, measured by the number of participants, and has been held in Israel every four years since 1932.

First time Maccabiah Games suspended over security concerns

This marks the first postponement of the event in modern history due to security concerns. However, the 21st Maccabiah Games, initially scheduled for 2021, were postponed to the summer of 2022 due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Organizers are now looking ahead, determined to deliver an even more meaningful event in 2026, when they plan to welcome the Jewish world to a safer and stronger Israel.

“I want to thank our partners, our sponsors, and especially our incredible staff who worked day and night to bring the 2025 Maccabiah to life,” Goren said.

“We will return next year, not just with a sporting event, but with a celebration of Jewish identity, perseverance, and unity that will be more powerful than ever before.”