Israeli basketball greats play against former hostages in Maccabiah exhibition

By Zev Stub

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8 July 2026, 9:46 pm

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Zev Stub is the Times of Israel's Diaspora Affairs correspondent.

Former hostages David and Ariel Cunio, Bar Kupershtein, Elkana Bohbot, Eliya Cohen, Or Levy and Eitan Horn join diaspora representatives for an exhibition game of basketball at the Maccabiah Games, July 8, 2026 (Maccabiah/Gilad Kavalerchik)

As part of the Maccabiah Games in Israel, a special basketball game put former Hamas hostages, Israeli basketball stars, and representatives of world Jewry on the court together for a friendly exhibition.

The game, put on by the Jewish Agency and the Lehosheet Yad organization, was organized “to express gratitude to Diaspora Jewry for the support they provided to the captive survivors and their families, as well as to convey the message that the long journey of rehabilitation is only just beginning,” the organizations said.

Some 5,000 Jewish athletes from 30 countries around the world are currently in Israel for the 22nd Maccabiah Games, also known as the “Jewish Olympics.” The competition continues through July 13.