Israeli sports

Getting back to the games while under fire

Israeli sports leagues prepare to resume under strict safety guidelines, with empty stadiums and arenas.

MARCH 23, 2026|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Football and basketball leagues across Israel are pushing ahead with plans to complete their seasons as the war continues.

ANTONION BLAKENEY (left) and Elijah Bryant helped lead Hapoel Tel Aviv to a 93-82 Euroleague victory over Paris this week

Hapoel Tel Aviv downs Paris; Jerusalem eliminated by Turk Telekom

The win moved Hapoel’s record to 19-11 as it remained in fifth place ahead of a duel with Bologna late Thursday night back in Sofia.

MARCH 19, 2026|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

ISRAEL HANDBALL coach David Pisonero (left) confers with his assistant coach Chen Pomeranz (right) as the blue-and-white prepares for a pivotal two-leg World Cup qualifying clash against Georgia in Tbilisi.

Blueprint under fire: David Pisonero’s bid to rebuild Israeli handball from ground up

David Pisonero is 4,200 kilometers away from his home in Valladolid, Spain, but his mind is occupied by a singular, complex mission: leading the Israeli National Handball team.

MARCH 18, 2026|ByITAY GODER

The Israel national team celebrates its 83-54 victory over Cyprus with visiting Israeli fans in Limassol on Sunday night.

Israel basketball national team beats Cyprus, qualifies for next round of World Cup qualifiers

With the 83-54 victory on Sunday night, Israel punched its ticket to the second stage of qualifying and is now 2-2 and in third place in Group E.

MARCH 3, 2026|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Israel’s Olympic delegation embrace winter challenge

In Milano Cortina, Israel’s winter athletes will aim to leave a lasting impression – one run, skate, and slide at a time with nine Olympians and one Paralympian competing.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

Barnabas Szollos of Israel in action during training for Alpine Skiing - Men's Downhill Training - Stelvio Ski Centre, Bormio, Italy - February 04, 2026

Maccabi Tel Aviv tops Partizan at the buzzer, Hapoel continues to slump in Euroleague

Prior to the game, Maccabi Tel Aviv held a ceremony honoring Partizan for hosting the club for more than two years after the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

MACCABI TEL AVIV guard hits the game-winning shot late in the fourth quarter of the team’s 95-93 Euroleague home victory over Partizan Belgrade at Menora Mivtachim Arena.

New England Patriots remain Israel's team: Why Israelis are invested in Superbowl LX -opinion

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's fight against antisemitism through NFL campaigns and promotion of American football in Israel gives Israeli sports fans a stake in Super Bowl LX

FEBRUARY 3, 2026BySTEVE LEIBOWITZ

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS owner Robert Kraft’s legacy as an avid supporter of Israel is set in (Jerusalem) stone. The Patriots are in this weekend’s Super Bowl.

Hapoel Tel Aviv beats Beersheba in OT, while Jerusalem, Mac TA both take wins home

Hapoel Tel Aviv slipped by Hapoel Beersheba 112-108 in overtime to notch the tight win at Yad Eliyahu and improve its Israeli league record to 14-1 and remain in first place.

JANUARY 27, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

HAPOEL TEL AVIV'S Antonio Blakeney blocks a shot during the Reds' 112-108 overtime victory over Hapoel Beersheba in Israeli league action at Yad Eliyahu.

Israeli MMA fighter Shimon Smotritsky earns unanimous decision win at 559 Fights 120 - interview

"When I fight like myself, freely, and without trying to entertain someone or try to hype the crowd up and do all this nonsense, I’m the best version of myself," Smotritsky says.

JANUARY 13, 2026BySAM HALPERN

Shimon Smotritsky (left) and James Porter at the weigh-ins ahead of their match at the 559 Fights 120 event in Porterville, California.

Maccabi Tel Aviv keeps pace in Third with conquest of Hapoe

After a fairly even opening 20 minutes, Mathew Cudjoe’s reckless tackle on Helder Lopes saw the midfielder sent off, leaving Sakhnin with only 10 men.

JANUARY 6, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

One of Hapoel Beersheba's Kings Kangwa with teammates and one of Beersheba's Dan Bitton celebrating goals

Daniel Peretz to Southampton, Manor Solomon to Fiorentina in midseason moves - report

Reports say goalkeeper Daniel Peretz is nearing a loan move to Southampton, while winger Manor Solomon could switch from Villarreal to Fiorentina this month.

DECEMBER 31, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

DANIEL PERETZ begins a new chapter with Hamburger SV as he looks to secure the starting role in the Bundesliga.

Tel Aviv beats Villeurbanne in first Euroleague game back in Israel since 2023

The first game back in Israel provided plenty of excitement as Lonnie Walker (29 points) and Roman Sorkin (26 points) led the way for the yellow-and-blue.

DECEMBER 15, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN