Turkish clubs protest as Israel to resume hosting Euro basketball games

Two of Turkey’s top basketball clubs have protested over a EuroLeague decision to once again let Israeli teams host European competition home games in Israel.

In a joint statement, Istanbul’s Fenerbahce Beko and Anadolu Efes express concern at the decision, questioning how it was reached and saying that they have begun talks with EuroLeague’s management over the issue.

Since Israel’s war against Gaza’s Hamas rulers began in October 2023, Israeli clubs in the EuroLeague and EuroCup have played their home games abroad.

But following this month’s ceasefire agreement, EuroLeague clubs met on Tuesday and “approved the proposal to return matches to Israel starting December 1, 2025,” the body said.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, six-time winners of the competition, and Hapoel Tel Aviv are playing in the EuroLeague this season while Hapoel Jerusalem is in the second-tier EuroCup.

“Fenerbahce Beko and Anadolu Efes have expressed their disapproval of the matter and clearly voiced their concerns about the potential outcome should the decision be implemented,” the clubs write on X.

Although the EuroLeague press release and statements by its CEO Paulius Motiejunas “indicated that all members were unanimous during the decision-making process, no vote was taken at the meeting,” they write.