European basketball becomes 1st sports competition to return to Israel after ceasefire
Euroleague announces games will be held in Israel as of December 1, after being held in third-country venues throughout war; soccer federation expresses hope for similar return
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PARIS — Basketball’s top European competitions are set to become the first to return to Israel since Hamas’s invasion in 2023, after clubs agreed on Tuesday to resume Euroleague and EuroCup games in the country from December 1, following recent ceasefire and peace initiatives in the region, the organization said.
Games involving Israeli teams have been held at neutral venues since the October, 7, 2023 Hamas massacre and the subsequent two-year war in Gaza.
Six-time champions Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv are the Israeli clubs in this season’s Euroleague, while Hapoel Jerusalem plays in the EuroCup.
“After thoughtful deliberation, ECA clubs agreed on the proposal to set December 1, 2025, as the date for games to resume in Israel. Until then, Euroleague Basketball will continue to carefully monitor developments, stay in close contact with local and foreign authorities, visiting teams, and all relevant organizations,” Euroleague Basketball said in a statement.
“Euroleague Basketball and its participating clubs welcome the recent peace plan with optimism and hope. The organization reaffirms its belief in the power of basketball to bring people and communities together, and its commitment to contributing to peace through the shared values of sport, respect, and unity.”
Maccabi Tel Aviv owner Shimon Mizrahi called the decision a “milestone,” adding that “on the 11th and 18th of December we have home games and I hope we can host them.”
Channel 12 News reported on Tuesday that following the Euroleague’s announcement, the Israel Football Association was planning to petition the Union of European Football Associations to have soccer games involving Israel return to the country.
According to the report, the Israeli association hopes to have games played in Israel once the World Cup qualifiers end next month.
The Euroleague announcement was a welcome development for Israeli sport, which has been increasing facing calls for boycotts amid the Gaza war, including this week when it was announced that Israeli fans would be barred from Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Europa League soccer match at Aston Villa next month.
Events featuring Israeli teams have seen disruptive large-scale anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian protests, including at international soccer matches in Norway and Italy.
The Israel-Premier Tech cycling team, beset by protests against its participation in international cycling races, said earlier this month that it was changing its name to move away from an “Israeli identity.”
And Israeli gymnasts were blocked from the upcoming gymnastics World Championships in Indonesia after the government refused to issue them visas.
A tenuous ceasefire in the war against Hamas came into effect last week with the release of the 20 remaining living hostages Hamas was holding in Gaza and Israel’s release of close to 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences.
The Times of Israel Community.