Israeli sports

Draft-bound 19-year-old Israeli guard Ben Saraf shines on big stage

Israeli teen sensation leads Ulm vs Bayern in German finals, strengthens case for 1st-round pick.

 BEN SARAF drives to the basket while playing for Ulm against Bayern Munich in the German Bundesliga finals, which the 19-year-old Israeli hopes to win tonight ahead of the NBA Draft.
 ISRAEL’S UNDER-18 National Team poses after its fourth-place finish at the 2024 EuroBasket clinched the country a spot in this year’s Under-18 World Championship.

Israel U19 basketball team heads to FIBA World Championship in Europe

 THE ISRAEL Under-18 team celebrates in August 2024 after qualifying for this year’s U19 World Championships, a tournament that is now in jeopardy for the blue-and-white squad due to the ongoing war with Iran

Israeli basketball team given 24-hour ultimatum on FIBA U19 World Cup participation

 THEN US PRESIDENT Joe Biden poses with athletes at the opening ceremony of the 21st Maccabiah in Jerusalem in July 2022. On Monday, this year's edition of the Games was officially postponed until next summer due to the war with Iran.

Maccabiah Games postponed to 2026 in shadow of Israel's war with Iran


The games must not go on: Iran attacks halt Israeli basketball finals, other sports

Celebrations quickly gave way to anxiety as sirens echoed across central Israel and the specter of war overshadowed the sports world.

 YAD ELIYAHU sits empty as the Israel basketball league finals remain on hold amid escalating tensions with Iran. The decisive Game 3 between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem has been indefinitely postponed due to security concerns

Rishon-vs-Eilat Leumit League finals heads to decisive Game 5

Maccabi Rishon Lezion defeated Hapoel Eilat 92-87 to knot up the Leumit Final series at 2-2 and send it to a winner-take-all fifth game down south by the Red Sea.

 MACCABI RISHON LEZION forward DJ Burns had a game-high 26 points in the 92-87 win over Hapoel Eilat.

Israel’s sports world pays tribute to fallen soldiers Yoav Raver and Chen Gross

Raver chose to enlist in the IDF's Yahalom unit as a combat engineer, though he could have continued playing basketball professionally.

 Yoav Raver Hapoel played for Kfar Saba youth basketball team before his death in the Gaza Strip on Friday, June 6, 2025.

The Jewish boxer: Dmitriy Salita represents Judaism in and out of the ring - interview

Once, Salita fought other boxers in the ring; now he fights for other boxers to give them a shot at getting in the ring.

 DMITRIY SALITA praying at the Western Wall during his first trip to Israel, 2009

Police arrest dozens of soccer players suspected of fraud and embezzlement

They are suspected of fraud and embezzlement of public funds. Also held and questioned were a doctor, a lawyer, and a staffer at the NII. 

Police car at night

New era in Israeli soccer: American group led by Ross Kestin to buy Maccabi Netanya

Maccabi Netanya will be acquired by US firm Aliya Capital Partners, led by Ross Kestin, pending approval. The deal reflects rising foreign interest in Israeli soccer.

Israel and US flags

Eran Zahavi to announce his leave from Maccabi Tel Aviv at end of season

Though there was a mutual option to extend his contract, Zahavi independently chose to step away, marking the end of his second stint with the club.

 ERAN ZAHAVI has not chosen to retire, but the 37-year-old Israeli striker will not play next season with Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Championship race coming down to wire

Zahavi hat-trick powers Maccabi Tel Aviv at Netanya • Beersheba clinging to lead with 2 games left

 ERAN ZAHAVI (left) celebrates with his Maccabi Tel Aviv teammates after his hat-trick during the yellow-and-blue’s 6-1 away victory over Maccabi Netanya to keep the pressure on leader Hapoel Beersheba in the Israel Premier League championship race

How Jewish athletes are preparing for the first Maccabiah since October 7

This summer’s Maccabiah Games mark Israel’s first major international event since Oct. 7, 2023, spotlighting Jewish unity, Israeli resilience, and the power of sport.

 OPENING CEREMONY, Maccabiah 2022

Manor Solomon’s moment of magic lifts Leeds United to Championship glory

Reports suggest Tottenham are open to selling Solomon for £15–20 million – a fee that now seems like a bargain for a player who has become a fan favorite.

Leeds United's Israeli forward Manor Solomon celebrates after scoring the Championship title-clinching goal against Plymouth Argyle in a 2-1 win on Saturday.

Israeli gymnasts shine at European Acrobatic Championships

Israel's national acrobatic gymnastics team delivered a standout performance at the 2025 European Championships in Luxembourg, winning two gold medals and two silver.

 European Acrobatic Championship Luxembourg 2025 Israel Mixed Pair takes the Gold with the highest score of the competition.