Israeli sports

A trip to the 'boy aquarium': Discovering Israel's thriving hockey scene

I’ll admit, this was the first time I’ve ever watched a sports game of any kind in my adult life, and I could not believe how much fun it was.

JULY 25, 2026|BySHIR PERETS

Jerusalem's capitals and Ashdod's Dolphins played a close game, keeping us on the edge of our seats all night.

SOUTH AFRICAN players participate in the inaugural Diski 18 program in Johannesburg.

Diski 18 brings together Israeli soccer players and South African youth

The delegation is part of the Jewish Agency’s Partnership2gether initiative and was made possible through the collaboration of community leaders and volunteers from both Israel and South Africa.

JULY 19, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

Israeli guard Yam Madar signs three-year deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv after leaving rival Hapoel

The 25-year-old point guard (1.90m), who grew up supporting Maccabi, joins the Israeli League and State Cup champion under head coach Oded Katash.

JULY 14, 2026|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Gymnasts compete during the Israeli Gymnastics Championships and the Maccabiah Gymnastics Championships at Pais Arena in Jerusalem, July 10, 2026.

Cuban delegation to Maccabiah Games overcomes significant hurdles to reach Israel

"If you can see people, for example, with kippah on the street, with tefillin or tallit, it’s like to be inside of the synagogue, a big synagogue. It’s amazing to be here.”

JULY 14, 2026|ByJACOB GURVIS/JTA

Beitar Jerusalem ends Eran Zahavi pursuit, closing door on striker's final stop in Israeli soccer

Ultimatum, uncertainty, and chemistry concerns derail talks between Israeli soccer star and capital club.

JULY 7, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

FOR MORE than a decade, Eran Zahavi has been one of the biggest stars in Israeli soccer, from Tel Aviv to China, the Netherlands and back. But at 37 years old, his playing future is uncertain.

Blue-and-white closes strong with 7th place at U19 World Cup

The Israel Under-19 National Team wrapped up a historic run at the FIBA U19 World Cup with a 79-68 win over host nation Switzerland, clinching seventh place.

JULY 6, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

OREN SAHAR took a lead role over Israel's last few games at the FIBA Under-19 World Cup, scoring a team-high 21 points in the blue-and-white's 79-68 victory over Switzerland to clinch a seventh-place finish

Israel's basketball star Maya Zilbershlag embraces challenge at U18 Euros tournament

Maya Zilbershlag has been listed on FIBA’s website as one of the “10 Players to Watch” and led Israel with 16 points in the opening loss to France.

JULY 6, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

MAYA ZILBERSHLAG and the Israel Under-18 Women’s National Team have high hopes despite a tough group at the European Championship in La Palma, Spain

Israeli tennis teen star Mika Buchnik bows out at Wimbledon

She was on Court 5 of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, trailing badly in a first-round Wimbledon Girls’ Singles match. Still, she wanted to capture the moment.

JULY 6, 2025ByMICHAEL J. LEWIS

MIKA BUCHNIK returns a shot to China’s Rueien Zhang during the 18-year-old Israeli’s 7-5, 7-6(6) loss over the weekend in the Wimbledon Juniors tournament.

Double draft delight: Israelis Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf unite with the Brooklyn Nets

On this night, two young Jewish athletes made the world stop and take notice – together, in black and white, at the very heart of basketball’s most diverse city.

JULY 5, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

BEN SARAF (L) and DANNY WOLF are slated to become the first Israeli teammates in the NBA.

NBA 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.

JUNE 23, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

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 U19 basketball team heads to FIBA World Championship in Europe

Israel’s U19 basketball team overcomes hurdles to compete in the FIBA World Championship this June.

JUNE 23, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

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.

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

Several countries have offered to host the team for training purposes, but without security clearance and logistical approval, the squad remains sidelined.

JUNE 17, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

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

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

The 2025 Maccabiah Games, set for July, have been postponed until 2026 due to escalating security risks in Israel.

JUNE 16, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

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.

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.

JUNE 16, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN