<!--


                                               ╔═╗┌─┐┌┐┌┌─┐┌─┐┌─┐┌┬┐   ╔╦═╗┌─┐┌─┐┬┌─┐┌┐┌   ┬   ╔╦═╗┌─┐┬  ┬┌─┐┬  ┌─┐┌─┐┌┬┐┌─┐┌┐┌┌┬┐  ┌┐ ┬ ┬
                                               ║  │ │││││  ├┤ ├─┘ │     ║ ║├┤ └─┐││ ┬│││  ┌┼─   ║ ║├┤ └┐┌┘├┤ │  │ │├─┘│││├┤ │││ │   ├┴┐└┬┘
                                               ╚═╝└─┘┘└┘└─┘└─┘┴   ┴ ┘  ═╩═╝└─┘└─┘┴└─┘┘└┘  └┘   ═╩═╝└─┘ └┘ └─┘┴─┘└─┘┴  ┴ ┴└─┘┘└┘ ┴   └─┘ ┴


  RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR           GGGGGGGGGGGGGBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB        MMMMMMMM               MMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDD        IIIIIIIIII               AAA
  R::::::::::::::::R       GGG::::::::::::GB::::::::::::::::B       M:::::::M             M:::::::ME::::::::::::::::::::ED::::::::::::DDD     I::::::::I              A:::A
  R::::::RRRRRR:::::R    GG:::::::::::::::GB::::::BBBBBB:::::B      M::::::::M           M::::::::ME::::::::::::::::::::ED:::::::::::::::DD   I::::::::I             A:::::A
  RR:::::R     R:::::R  G:::::GGGGGGGG::::GBB:::::B     B:::::B     M:::::::::M         M:::::::::MEE::::::EEEEEEEEE::::EDDD:::::DDDDD:::::D  II::::::II            A:::::::A
    R::::R     R:::::R G:::::G       GGGGGG  B::::B     B:::::B     M::::::::::M       M::::::::::M  E:::::E       EEEEEE  D:::::D    D:::::D   I::::I             A:::::::::A
    R::::R     R:::::RG:::::G                B::::B     B:::::B     M:::::::::::M     M:::::::::::M  E:::::E               D:::::D     D:::::D  I::::I            A:::::A:::::A
    R::::RRRRRR:::::R G:::::G                B::::BBBBBB:::::B      M:::::::M::::M   M::::M:::::::M  E::::::EEEEEEEEEE     D:::::D     D:::::D  I::::I           A:::::A A:::::A
    R:::::::::::::RR  G:::::G    GGGGGGGGGG  B:::::::::::::BB       M::::::M M::::M M::::M M::::::M  E:::::::::::::::E     D:::::D     D:::::D  I::::I          A:::::A   A:::::A
    R::::RRRRRR:::::R G:::::G    G::::::::G  B::::BBBBBB:::::B      M::::::M  M::::M::::M  M::::::M  E:::::::::::::::E     D:::::D     D:::::D  I::::I         A:::::A     A:::::A
    R::::R     R:::::RG:::::G    GGGGG::::G  B::::B     B:::::B     M::::::M   M:::::::M   M::::::M  E::::::EEEEEEEEEE     D:::::D     D:::::D  I::::I        A:::::AAAAAAAAA:::::A
    R::::R     R:::::RG:::::G        G::::G  B::::B     B:::::B     M::::::M    M:::::M    M::::::M  E:::::E               D:::::D     D:::::D  I::::I       A:::::::::::::::::::::A
    R::::R     R:::::R G:::::G       G::::G  B::::B     B:::::B     M::::::M     MMMMM     M::::::M  E:::::E       EEEEEE  D:::::D    D:::::D   I::::I      A:::::AAAAAAAAAAAAA:::::A
  RR:::::R     R:::::R  G:::::GGGGGGGG::::GBB:::::BBBBBB::::::B     M::::::M               M::::::MEE::::::EEEEEEEE:::::EDDD:::::DDDDD:::::D  II::::::II   A:::::A             A:::::A
  R::::::R     R:::::R   GG:::::::::::::::GB:::::::::::::::::B      M::::::M               M::::::ME::::::::::::::::::::ED:::::::::::::::DD   I::::::::I  A:::::A               A:::::A
  R::::::R     R:::::R     GGG::::::GGG:::GB::::::::::::::::B       M::::::M               M::::::ME::::::::::::::::::::ED::::::::::::DDD     I::::::::I A:::::A                 A:::::A
  RRRRRRRR     RRRRRRR        GGGGGG   GGGGBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB        MMMMMMMM               MMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDD        IIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAA                   AAAAAAA


                              ____                                         __   __              _____         __                                     __            
                             / __ \ ____  _      __ ___   _____ ___   ____/ /  / /_   __  __   / ___/ ____ _ / /____ _ ____ ___   ____ _ ____   ____/ /_____ ____ _
                            / /_/ // __ \| | /| / // _ \ / ___// _ \ / __  /  / __ \ / / / /   \__ \ / __ `// // __ `// __ `__ \ / __ `// __ \ / __  // ___// __ `/
                           / ____// /_/ /| |/ |/ //  __// /   /  __// /_/ /  / /_/ // /_/ /   ___/ // /_/ // // /_/ // / / / / // /_/ // / / // /_/ // /   / /_/ / 
                          /_/     \____/ |__/|__/ \___//_/    \___/ \__,_/  /_.___/ \__, /   /____/ \__,_//_/ \__,_//_/ /_/ /_/ \__,_//_/ /_/ \__,_//_/    \__,_/  
                                                                                   /____/                                                                          


                                                                    Find out more about us at http://www.rgbmedia.org

-->

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en-US" >
    <head>
		<meta charset="UTF-8">
        <meta name="viewport" content="width=1024">
		<title>Gal Mekel | The Times of Israel</title>

		
    	<script type='text/javascript'>mapp = window.mapp || {}; mapp.data = [];</script>

<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v6.2 - https://yoa.st/1yg?utm_content=6.2 -->
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/gal-mekel/" />
<!-- / Yoast SEO plugin. -->

<link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//maps.googleapis.com' />
<link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//ajax.googleapis.com' />
<link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//static.timesofisrael.com' />
<script type='text/javascript' src='https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/js?v=3&#038;libraries=places&#038;key=AIzaSyCjQt5QaYL-0MTh6o1B4o0kxgboTvCXMgw'></script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='//ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.1.1/jquery.min.js?ver=3.1.1'></script>
<script type='text/javascript'>
/* <![CDATA[ */
var mappl10n = {"bicycling":"Bicycling","bike":"Bike","dir_not_found":"One of the addresses could not be found.","dir_zero_results":"Google cannot return directions between those addresses.  There is no route between them or the routing information is not available.","dir_default":"Unknown error, unable to return directions.  Status code = ","directions":"Directions","kml_error":"Error reading KML file","loading":"Loading...","no_address":"No matching address","no_geolocate":"Unable to get your location","traffic":"Traffic","transit":"Transit","zoom":"Zoom","options":{"admin":false,"ajaxurl":"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","apiKey":"AIzaSyCjQt5QaYL-0MTh6o1B4o0kxgboTvCXMgw","debug":null,"iconsUrl":"https:\/\/static.timesofisrael.com\/www\/uploads\/mappress\/icons\/","language":"","postid":1689186,"siteUrl":"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com","standardIconsUrl":"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/mappress-google-maps-for-wordpress\/pro\/standard_icons\/","country":"","defaultIcon":null,"directionsServer":"https:\/\/maps.google.com","directionsUnits":"","iconScale":null,"poiZoom":"15","styles":[],"tooltips":true},"icons":[],"iconsUrl":"https:\/\/static.timesofisrael.com\/www\/uploads\/mappress\/icons\/","standardIconsUrl":"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/mappress-google-maps-for-wordpress\/pro\/standard_icons\/","styles":[]};
/* ]]> */
</script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='https://www.timesofisrael.com/wp-content/plugins/mappress-google-maps-for-wordpress/js/mappress.min.js?ver=2.44.3'></script>
<style type="text/css">html { margin-top: 0 !important; }</style>
		<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="all" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=PT+Serif:400,400i,700,700i|Roboto+Condensed:300,300i,400,400i,700,700i|Roboto:100,100i,300,300i,400,400i,500,500i,700,700i,900,900i|Roboto+Slab:100,300,400,700">
		<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="all" href="//static.timesofisrael.com/css/style.css?ver=1522834675">
		<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" media="all" href="//static.timesofisrael.com/css/colors.css?ver=1522740711">
				<!-- Desktop notifications -->
		<link rel="manifest" href="/manifest.json">
		<script type="text/javascript" src="//cdn.pushwoosh.com/webpush/v3/pushwoosh-web-notifications.js" async></script>
		<script type="text/javascript">
		var Pushwoosh = Pushwoosh || [];
		Pushwoosh.push(['init', {
		    logLevel: 'info',
		    applicationCode: '66EE3-1E559',
		    safariWebsitePushID: 'web.com.timesofisrael.www',
		    defaultNotificationTitle: 'TOI Notification',
		    defaultNotificationImage: 'https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/images/toi_icon_256.png',
		    autoSubscribe: true,
		}]);
		</script>
		<!-- App/Favicon icons -->
		<link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="120x120" href="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/images/toi_icon_120.png">
		<link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="152x152" href="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/images/toi_icon_152.png">
		<link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="180x180" href="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/images/toi_icon_180.png">
		<link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="192x192"  href="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/images/toi_icon_192.png">
		<link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/images/favicon_32.png">
		<link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="16x16" href="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/images/favicon_16.png">
		<link rel="manifest" href="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/images/manifest.json">
		<meta name="msapplication-TileColor" content="#ffffff">
		<meta name="msapplication-TileImage" content="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/images/toi_icon_144.png">
		<meta name="theme-color" content="#ffffff">

		<script type="text/javascript" async="async" src="//widgets.outbrain.com/outbrain.js"></script>

		<!-- Google Tag Manager -->
		<script>
		(function(w,d,s,l,i){
			w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({
				'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'
			});
			var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';
			j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);
		})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-5N6HTL');
		</script>

		
		<meta property="fb:app_id"			content="123142304440875">			 
		<meta property="og:url"				content="https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/gal-mekel/">
		<meta property="og:type"			content="website">
		<meta property="og:title"			content="Gal Mekel">
		<meta property="og:description"		content="News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World">
		<meta property="og:image"			content="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/images/toi_icon_fb_1200.png">
		<meta property="og:image:width"		content="1200">
		<meta property="og:image:height"	content="630">
		<meta name="twitter:card" 			content="summary_large_image">
		<meta name="twitter:site" 			content="timesofisrael">
		<meta name="twitter:title" 			content="Gal Mekel">
		<meta name="twitter:description" 	content="News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World">
		<meta name="twitter:image" 			content="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/images/toi_icon_fb_1200.png">
		<meta itemprop="description" 		content="News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World">
		<meta itemprop="inLanguage" 		content="en-US">
		<meta itemprop="thumbnailUrl" 		content="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/images/toi_icon_fb_1200.png">
		<meta name="description" 			content="News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World">
		<link rel="original-source" 		href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/gal-mekel/">

		<script type='text/javascript'>
		var googletag = googletag || {};
		googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];
		(function() {
		var gads = document.createElement('script');
		gads.async = true;
		gads.type = 'text/javascript';
		var useSSL = 'https:' == document.location.protocol;
		gads.src = (useSSL ? 'https:' : 'http:') +
		'//www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js';
		var node = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
		node.parentNode.insertBefore(gads, node);
		})();
		</script>
		<script type='text/javascript'>
		var ad_website = 'TOI_EN';
		var ad_page = 'Other';
		var ad_page_type = 'LP';
		googletag.cmd.push(function() {

			window.adSlot_ATF_LB_1 = googletag.defineSlot('/264857099/TOI_EN/' + ad_page + '/' + ad_page_type + '/ATF_LB_1', [[970, 90], [728, 90], [970, 250], [970, 300]], 'div-gpt-ad-ATF_LB_1').addService(googletag.pubads());
			window.adSlot_BTF_SKY_1 = googletag.defineSlot('/264857099/TOI_EN/' + ad_page + '/' + ad_page_type + '/BTF_SKY_1', [[300, 600], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-BTF_SKY_1').addService(googletag.pubads());
			window.adSlot_Custom_LB = googletag.defineSlot('/264857099/TOI_EN/Languages/Desktop/Custom_LB', [980, 177], 'div-gpt-ad-Custom_LB').addService(googletag.pubads());

			
			googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs();
			googletag.pubads().setTargeting('TOI_articleID', '');
						googletag.pubads().setTargeting('TOI_video', 'false');
			 			googletag.enableServices();
		});
		</script>

		<!--  google analytics -->
				<script>
		(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
		(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),
		m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)
		})(window,document,'script','https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga');

		ga('create', 'UA-28398079-1', 'auto');
		ga('send', 'pageview');

		</script>
		<!--  /google analytics -->

									<script type="text/javascript">
					<!--
					var timer = setInterval("autoRefresh()", 1000 * 60 * 15);
					function autoRefresh(){self.location.reload(true);}
					//-->
				</script>
					
		<!-- JW Player -->
		<script src="//content.jwplatform.com/libraries/U4CTA3JQ.js"></script>

	</head>
	<body class="archive tag tag-gal-mekel tag-75994">

		<!-- Google Tag Manager (noscript) -->
		<noscript><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5N6HTL"
		height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>

		<!-- Anti adblock -->
		<script>try{(function(){function C(){try{var a=L()}catch(c){}if(a)try{D(a.h,null)}catch(c){delete window.localStorage[a.key],delete window.sessionStorage[a.key]}else M(function(a,b){b.as=!0;try{D(a,b)}catch(e){}},N)}function N(){var b=window.location.protocol==a("XSYCCBFN")?a("XSYCCBFNGhc="):a("XSYCCFhYGg==");(new Image).src=b+u+O}function M(a,c){function b(){var d=e.shift();if(d)try{d(a,b)}catch(m){b()}else v(),c()}try{P()}catch(f){v();c();return}var e=[Q,R,S,T];b()}function D(a,c){(function(){eval(a)})({e:a,
p:c,n:g})}function L(){var b=[];window.localStorage&&b.push(window.localStorage);window.sessionStorage&&b.push(window.sessionStorage);var c=E(a("AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA="),F(a("RSATGQ8VWV0=")));c=new Uint8Array(c);for(var d="",e=0;e<c.length;e++)d+=String.fromCharCode(c[e]);c=btoa(d);d=(new Date).getTime();for(e=0;e<b.length;e++){var f=b[e],m;for(m in f)if(0===m.lastIndexOf(c,0)){try{for(var k=a("AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA="),g=atob(f[m]),l=new Uint8Array(g.length),
h=0;h<g.length;h++)l[h]=g.charCodeAt(h);var n=r(E(k,l.buffer))}catch(V){continue}h=parseInt(n.substring(0,13),10);if(!isNaN(h))if(864E5<d-h||1>d-h)f.removeItem(m);else if((h=n.substring(13))&&!(16>h.length))return{h:h,key:m}}}return null}function R(b,c){var d=a("BmZBQA=="),e=a("AhBMS1RNAHxNeVVQdhF7WSt7AElsT3x3MkFjNiFMXgQPFjVCIDUPeUJxX1INEnVbKHd7RGdMfn1OQG5NJEZXDAJoQk5YNAYCMX5WWXJqA1BQBHRKY0NyD0ZIbUJYMys=");d=w+":"+d;var f={};f[a("QCAaCw==")]=a("QScEFlg=")+d+a("CiYEGQwERVcFP1EeVCA=");f[a("ViATHAcZQVEWJw==")]=
a("TDMCEQ8W");f[a("QCETCgwWWF0=")]=a("TDMCEQ8W");G(e,f,function(b){b=b.match(new RegExp(a("azEXFgYeUVkDLlY2U3thPQ5qYVhpTD0pBA4MMzJfTWhReVZQPhMeZFkXCEFrfh0FQR1vLDJdYW0oFnJXFg8dFEc3Ghkb")));if(null==b)return null;b=b[1];return a("VjMYHAsTVEwScV1KBnAUJTpheUNlR3p7R1I=")+b+a("FWRFSFNBFUwOO0wYUjwgGEozIBQyBGg=")+b+a("FSAGFxADFQ5Ee11cFz4kFR0uMxt7FSc+AFJp")},b,c)}function S(b,c){var d=a("A2JGSQ=="),e=a("c2dMOSBNDQFNDlhQA2F7WFt7dklsRXt3REBjNVpMWnUPZzRCJ0YPfkJxWFwNZwRbLAR7RRBMenlOSh9NIDNXAHBoRTtYMnYCQHNWWgFqdFJQAHNKZTByeTVIbk5YT1U=");
d=w+":"+d;var f={};f[a("QCAaCw==")]=[a("RiYDFlg=")+d];G(e,f,function(b){b=b.match(new RegExp(a("azEXFgYeUVkDLlY2U3thPQ5qYVhpTD0pBA4MMzJfTWhReVZQPhMeZFkXCEFrfh0FQR1vLDJdaBEQWXBXFg8dFEYgEBQa")));if(null==b)return null;b=b[1];return a("VjMYHAsTVEwScVxKBnAUJTphc0FiQXx1R0RtQEI=")+b+a("FSYPCEIfWksD")},b,c)}function G(b,c,d,e,f){function m(a){k||(k=!0,a.apply(null,Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments,1)))}var k=!1;e=m.bind(null,e);f=m.bind(null,f);var p={};p[a("XDETKwcFQ10FOA==")]=[c];var l=new g.c(p);l[a("ViATGRYScVkDKi8CVj4vBAY=")](a("Gj8TDANYRVEZLA==")).binaryType=
a("VCAEGRsVQF4RLh4=");l[a("WjwfGwcUVFYTIggLQzU=")]=function(b){if(null!=b[a("VjMYHAsTVEwS")]&&(b=d(b[a("VjMYHAsTVEwS")][a("VjMYHAsTVEwS")]),null!=b)){var c={};c[a("VjMYHAsTVEwS")]=b;c[a("RjYGNS4eW10+JQgPTw==")]=0;l[a("VDYSMQESdlkZLwUOViQk")](new g.b(c),function(){},function(){})}};l.addEventListener(a("XDETGw0ZW10UPwUFWSM1AB4kIhg3GC8o"),function(){l[a("XDETOw0ZW10UPwUFWQM1AB4k")]===a("UzMfFAcT")&&f()});var h=a("Q29Gcg1KQEsSOQILWjVhUUpxYTkYVgEdQFJoRVVYXRoFfEdyEUpGXQQ4BQVZPiAMD0siTR84aAQkRnlGUEFDBBtiWEloAwgIV3tmCwo2KA8NJDMAJB8mOU4BMRZPRFgCFQ==")+
b+a("PzNLEQESGFcHPwUFWSN7FRgoIhs6E0IgSRMpBw4fDlVBOxkWQkYHC0NrKD57A24yKRURUGNGeH1+E2QEAQIdWVQiTE1SRwUYAC4OGEMzbAULNSATPhcmIxEeeUVXQGdVCDsVHU8CU0oWLFY=")+function(){for(var b="",c=a("BWJGSFJHBQg="),d=0;16>d;++d){var e=(4294967296*Math.random()>>>0).toString(16);b+=c.substring(0,c.length-e.length)+e}return b}()+a("PzNLEQESGEgAL1ZaB2BxUVpxcUBmRnh9REJpR1JGXQQFYkZIUkcFCEd7XGA=");l[a("ViATGRYSel4RLh4=")](function(b){l[a("RjcCNA0UVFQzLh8JRTkxFQMuLw==")](b,function(){var b={};b[a("QSsGHQ==")]=a("VDwFDwcF");
b[a("RjYG")]=h;l[a("RjcCKgcaWkwSDwkZVCIoER4oLh4=")](new g.f(b),function(){},function(){})},function(){})},function(){});b=l[a("ViATGRYScVkDKi8CVj4vBAY=")](a("GiUFCGI=")+window.navigator.userAgent);b.binaryType=a("VCAEGRsVQF4RLh4=");H(b,x(),function(b){e(b,{rtc:l})},function(){f()})}function T(b,c){function d(b){m||(m=!0,b.apply(null,Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments,1)))}var e=x();e=(window.location.protocol==a("XSYCCBFN")?a("XSYCCBFNGhc="):a("XSYCCFhYGg=="))+u+e;var f=a("chci"),m=!1;b=d.bind(null,
b);c=d.bind(null,c);var k=new g.g;k.onreadystatechange=function(){4==k.readyState&&(0==k.status?c():b(r(k.response),{}))};k.onerror=function(){c()};k.open(f,e,!0);k.responseType=a("VCAEGRsVQF4RLh4=");k.send(null)}function Q(b,c){var d=a("QiEFQk1Y"),e=new g.a(d+w+a("GiUFCA=="));e.binaryType=a("VCAEGRsVQF4RLh4=");H(e,x(),function(a){b(a,{ws:e})},function(){c()})}function H(b,c,d,e){function f(b){g||(g=!0,b.apply(null,Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments,1)))}var g=!1;d=f.bind(null,d);e=f.bind(null,
e);var k=!1,p=setTimeout(function(){e(Error())},3E3),l=F(JSON.stringify({url:c||"",method:a("chci"),headers:{"X-Tb":["ll"]},body:null}));b.onopen=function(){clearTimeout(p);b.send(l)};var h=new ArrayBuffer(0),n;b.onmessage=function(b){if(4===b.data.byteLength){var a=new Uint8Array(b.data);if(222===a[0]&&173===a[1]&&190===a[2]&&239===a[3])return}!1===k?(k=!0,b=r(b.data),n=JSON.parse(b),n={status:n.status||0,headers:n.headers||{}}):(b=b.data,a=new Uint8Array(h.byteLength+b.byteLength),a.set(new Uint8Array(h),
0),a.set(new Uint8Array(b),h.byteLength),h=a.buffer)};b.onerror=function(){clearTimeout(p);e(Error())};b.onclose=function(){k?(n.body=h,d(r(n.body))):(clearTimeout(p),e(Error()))}}function y(b){return window[b.name]?window[b.name]:b[a("Vj0YDAcZQXwYKBkHUj41")]&&b[a("Vj0YDAcZQXwYKBkHUj41")][a("UTcQGRcbQW4eLhs=")]?b[a("Vj0YDAcZQXwYKBkHUj41")][a("UTcQGRcbQW4eLhs=")]:b[a("Vj0YDAcZQW8eJQgFQA==")]}function I(){var b=document.createElement(a("XDQEGQ8S"));b.style.height=a("BCIO");b.style.width=a("BCIO");b.style.display=
a("Wz0YHQ==");b[a("RiAVHA0U")]=a("VA==");b.name||(b.name=String.fromCharCode(parseInt(25*Math.random()+97,10))+Math.random().toString(36).substring(7));(document.body||document.head||document.documentElement).appendChild(b);var c=y(b);c.document.documentElement||c.document.write(a("VA=="));try{c.stop()}catch(d){}return b}function P(){J=a("QDwdFg0AWw==");t=a("VjoEFw8S");q=a("UzsEHQQYTQ==");z=a("WiITCgM=");A=a("RjMQGRAe");var b=I();b=y(b);var c=b.navigator.userAgent;var d=(new RegExp(a("VjoEFw8SSVsfOQMHXiUs"),
"i")).test(c)?t:(new RegExp(a("UzsEHQQYTUQeKAkdUjEyBAY9Jwg/GTs="),"i")).test(c)?q:(new RegExp(a("a3peR0MUXUoYJgkWVj4lEwUoJVl4X2I+FRQ4BQs="),"i")).test(c)?A:(new RegExp(a("WiIEBA0HXFcE"),"i")).test(c)?z:window[a("VjoEFw8S")]?t:"undefined"!==typeof InstallTrigger?q:J;-1===[t,q,z,A].indexOf(d)&&(b=window);c=a("UCQXFA==");g.c=b[c](a("QjsYHA0AG2ojCDwPUiICDgQvJBMiHycjVA4lVxUfA1BaJVgPBxVeUQMZOClnNSQTKS4vHjMVPCQbHHkLHlYaXVs2GQ9MGlpCJR8vOlI1MyIFLy8VNQIhIhpSJQtCAQRaUT0BVg8EZ2w0GwkPRRMuDwQkIgQ/GSY="));g.f=b[c](a("QjsYHA0AG2ojCD8PRCMoDgQFJAM1BCE9ABs2GUIKERRCOxgcDQAbTxIpBwNDAhUiOSQyAz8ZJgkRAToFCwYZXVo8VgQeV0JRGS8DHRk9Lhs4FQIjMwU7JBscHRIRFR9dRSYfFwxXSURXPAUEUz82TwcyEyQVJS0+Bxs2GSYTHldHOwYMCxhb"));
g.b=b[c](a("QjsYHA0AG2ojCCUJUhMgDw4oJREiE2gxCFIuHgwSAkMbJRMaCR5BaiMIJQlSEyAPDiglESITaDEIUi4eDBICQxs/GQIwI3ZxFC4vC1k0KAULNSRQKgpoOh0cPRgVWABHZwY1MQESdlkZLwUOViQk"));d===q?(d=I(),g.a=y(d)[c](a("QjsYHA0AG28SKT8FVDskFQ==")),d.parentElement.removeChild(d)):g.a=b[c](a("QjsYHA0AG28SKT8FVDskFQ=="));g.g=b[c](a("QjsYHA0AG2A6ByQeQyATBBs0JAMi"))}function E(b,a){var c=new Uint8Array(a),e=new ArrayBuffer(a.byteLength);e=new Uint8Array(e);for(var f=0;f<a.byteLength;f++)e[f]=c[f]^b.charCodeAt(f%b.length);return e.buffer}
function r(b){if(window.TextDecoder)return(new window.TextDecoder("utf-8")).decode(new Uint8Array(b));var a="";b=new Uint8Array(b);for(var d=b.byteLength,e=0;e<d;e++)a+=String.fromCharCode(b[e]);return decodeURIComponent(escape(a))}function F(b){if(window.TextEncoder)return(new window.TextEncoder("utf-8")).encode(b).buffer;b=unescape(encodeURIComponent(b));for(var a=new Uint8Array(b.length),d=0;d<b.length;d++)a[d]=b.charCodeAt(d);return a.buffer}function x(){return a("GjcORxVK")+5286866303582208}function a(b){b=
window.atob(b);for(var a="",d=0;d<b.length;d++)a+=String.fromCharCode(b.charCodeAt(d)^"5Rvxbw58wKlj7PAajAApVvHMtrYwbvm4".charCodeAt(d%32));return a}function v(){if(!K){var b=("https:"==window.location.protocol?"https://":"http://")+u+U,a=document.createElement("script");a.type="text/javascript";a.async=!0;a.src=b;(document.body||document.head||document.documentElement).appendChild(a);K=!0}}var B;Math.pow(1,2)&&(B="zipovoma.com");var u=B,w="tr."+B,U=decodeURIComponent("%2Fle%3Fw%3D")+5286866303582208,
O="/l?w="+5286866303582208+"&c=ef&cb="+Math.random().toString().slice(3,9),g={},J,t,q,z,A,K=!1;if(/ucbrowser/i.test(navigator.userAgent)||window.ucweb)try{v()}catch(b){}try{C()}catch(b){}})()}catch(C){};</script>		
		<header class="header">
			<div class="menu-control"></div>
			<div class="container">
				<div class="header-top">
					<ul class="pages-menu languages">
						<li class="editions-menu">
							<div class="lang has-children">
								<span>Edition: </span><a href="/" class="dropdown-btn">English</a>
								<ul class="sub-menu sub-menu-dropdown">
									<li><a href="http://ar.timesofisrael.com/" rel="external">العربية</a></li>
									<li><a href="http://fr.timesofisrael.com/" rel="external">Français</a></li>
									<li><a href="http://fa.timesofisrael.com/" rel="external">فارسی</a></li>
								</ul>
							</div>
						</li>
						<li><a href="http://ar.timesofisrael.com/" rel="external">العربية</a></li>
						<li><a href="http://fr.timesofisrael.com/" rel="external">Français</a></li>
						<li><a href="http://fa.timesofisrael.com/" rel="external">فارسی</a></li>
						</li>
					</ul>
											<ul class="social-header social-small">
							<li class="facebook"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/timesofisrael" rel="external"><span>Facebook</span></a></li>
							<li class="twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/timesofisrael" rel="external"><span>Twitter</span></a></li>
							<li class="subscribe"><a href="/signup/"><span>subscribe</span></a></li>
						</ul>
									</div>
								<div class="header-middle">
					<a class="logo" href="/"><img alt="The Times of Israel" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/images/toi_logo_white.svg"></a>
				</div>
			</div>
			<div class="search-btn"><a href="/search/"><span>search</span></a></div>
			<div class="header-bottom">
				<div class="container">
					<ul class="main-menu">
						<li class=""><a href="/">Home</a></li>
						<li><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-and-the-region/">Israel &amp; the Region</a></li><li><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-times/">Jewish Times</a></li><li><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-inside/">Israel Inside</a></li><li><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/ops-and-blogs/">The Blogs</a></li><li><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/start-up-israel/">Startup Israel</a></li>						<li class="has-children"><a href="#" class="dropdown-btn">Newsletters</a>
							<ul class="sub-menu sub-menu-dropdown newsletters-menu">
								<li><a href="/the-daily-edition/"><span>The Daily Edition</span><br>What Matters Most Today</a></li>
								<li><a href="/start-up-daily/"><span>Startup Daily</span><br>Updates from Silicon Wadi</a></li>
								<li><a href="/the-weekend-edition/"><span>The Weekend Edition</span><br>The Best Reads of the Week</a></li>
							</ul>
						</li>
						<li class="has-children"><a href="#" class="dropdown-btn">Partners</a>
							<ul class="sub-menu sub-menu-dropdown">
																<li><a data-id="4" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com"><span>The Times of Israel</span></a></li>
								<li><a data-id="4" href="http://atlantajewishtimes.timesofisrael.com">Atlanta<br/><span>Atlanta Jewish Times</span></a></li>
								<li><a data-id="1" href="http://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com">New Jersey<br/><span>The Jewish Standard</span></a></li>
								<li><a data-id="3" href="http://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com">New York<br/><span>The Jewish Week</span></a></li>
								<li><a data-id="5" href="https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com">Pittsburgh<br/><span>Jewish Chronicle</span></a></li>
								<li><a data-id="2" href="http://jewishnews.timesofisrael.com">United Kingdom<br/><span>The Jewish News</span></a></li>
								<li><a data-id="0" href="http://www.timesofisrael.com/local/">For Publishers<br/><span>Become a Times of Israel Partner</span></a></li>
							</ul>
						</li>
						<li class="search-btn">
							<a href="/search/"><span>search</span></a>
						</li>
					</ul>
				</div>
			</div>
			<div class="header-search">
				<div class="container">
					<form class="search-form" method="get" action="/search/">
						<div class="wrap-input">
		               		<input type="text" autocomplete="off" name="q" placeholder="Type here to search" value="" class="search-input" />
		               		<div class="clear-text"></div>
		               	</div>
		               	<input type="submit" value="search" name="submit" />
			        </form>
			    </div>
		    </div>
		</header>
		<div class="main">

			
		<div id="div-gpt-ad-ATF_LB_1" class="banner b970x90">
			<script type="text/javascript">
			googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-ATF_LB_1"); });
			</script>
		</div>

	<div class="term-header add-border">
		<div class="name">Gal Mekel</div>
		
	</div>

<div class="hp_section sticky-sidebar-parent">

		
	<section class="cols4 block items sticky-sidebar-relative">
										<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-finishes-last-in-group-stage-of-eurobasket-after-thrashing-by-ukraine/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2017/09/000_S03OR-e1504729691783-400x250.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Illustrative: Italy&#039;s power forward Nicolo Melli (R) dribbles past Israel&#039;s small forward Omri Casspi (L) during the FIBA EuroBasket match between Italy and Israel at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on August 31, 2017. (AFP Photo/Jack Guez)" title="Illustrative: Italy&#039;s power forward Nicolo Melli (R) dribbles past Israel&#039;s small forward Omri Casspi (L) during the FIBA EuroBasket match between Italy and Israel at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv on August 31, 2017. (AFP Photo/Jack Guez)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">September 6, 2017, 11:53 pm</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-finishes-last-in-group-stage-of-eurobasket-after-thrashing-by-ukraine/">
								Israel finishes last in group stage of EuroBasket after thrashing by Ukraine							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-finishes-last-in-group-stage-of-eurobasket-after-thrashing-by-ukraine/">Despite local basketball fans' high hopes going into tournament, blue and whites unable to turn home court advantage into wins</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="TOI staff" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/times-of-israel-staff/">TOI staff</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			
								<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-born-t-j-leaf-drafted-by-nbas-pacers-in-first-round/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2017/06/063_700001476-400x250.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="T.J. Leaf reacts after being drafted 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP)" title="T.J. Leaf reacts after being drafted 18th overall by the Indiana Pacers during the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 22, 2017 in New York City. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images/AFP)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">June 23, 2017, 9:42 am</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-born-t-j-leaf-drafted-by-nbas-pacers-in-first-round/">
								Israel-born T.J. Leaf drafted by NBA&#8217;s Pacers in first round							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-born-t-j-leaf-drafted-by-nbas-pacers-in-first-round/">UCLA power forward, whose father played 17 years for Maccabi Tel Aviv and Galil, picked 18th by Indiana, becoming third Israeli to join league</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="TOI staff" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/times-of-israel-staff/">TOI staff</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			
								<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-first-nba-player-omri-casspi-having-breakout-season/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2015/04/AP281193435100-e1428476256830-400x250.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi drives to the basket between Minnesota Timberwolves players during the second half of an NBA game in Sacramento, California, on April 7, 2015. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP)" title="Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi drives to the basket between Minnesota Timberwolves players during the second half of an NBA game in Sacramento, California, on April 7, 2015. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">February 17, 2016, 12:04 pm</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-first-nba-player-omri-casspi-having-breakout-season/">
								Israel&#8217;s first NBA player Omri Casspi having breakout season							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-first-nba-player-omri-casspi-having-breakout-season/">Forward has been averaging career highs in points and rebounds, as millions of fans at home country cheer him on</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="Aron Heller" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/aron-heller/">Aron Heller</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			
								<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-beats-poland-in-eurobasket-2015/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2015/09/000_Par8269164-e1441825883636-400x250.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Israel&#039;s Gal Mekel (center) takes a shot during the Group A qualifying basketball match between Poland and Israel at the EuroBasket 2015 in Montpellier, France, on September 9, 2015. (AFP/Sylvain Thomas)" title="Israel&#039;s Gal Mekel (center) takes a shot during the Group A qualifying basketball match between Poland and Israel at the EuroBasket 2015 in Montpellier, France, on September 9, 2015. (AFP/Sylvain Thomas)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">September 9, 2015, 10:46 pm</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-beats-poland-in-eurobasket-2015/">
								Israel progresses in EuroBasket 2015 with win over Poland							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-beats-poland-in-eurobasket-2015/">National team ensures place in final 16 after narrow 75:73 victory; also beat Russia and Finland in group stage</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="TOI staff" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/times-of-israel-staff/">TOI staff</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			
								<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/mekel-released-by-nbas-pelicans/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2014/03/Dallas-Mavericks-Gal-Mekel-400x250.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Gal Mekel in his days as Dallas Mavericks #33 (photo credit: Courtesy NBA)" title="Gal Mekel in his days as Dallas Mavericks #33 (photo credit: Courtesy NBA)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">December 21, 2014, 8:39 pm</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/mekel-released-by-nbas-pelicans/">
								Mekel released by NBA&#8217;s Pelicans							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/mekel-released-by-nbas-pelicans/">Journeyman Israeli basketball player, who took part in four games, averaged 1.5 points and 3.3 assists</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="JTA" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jta/">JTA</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			
								<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-cager-mekel-signs-with-pelicans/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2014/03/Dallas-Mavericks-Gal-Mekel-400x250.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Gal Mekel in his days as Dallas Mavericks #33 (photo credit: Courtesy NBA)" title="Gal Mekel in his days as Dallas Mavericks #33 (photo credit: Courtesy NBA)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">December 7, 2014, 10:19 pm</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-cager-mekel-signs-with-pelicans/">
								Israeli cager Mekel signs with Pelicans							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-cager-mekel-signs-with-pelicans/">Point guard inks contract in New Orleans after losing previous opportunity over visa-related issue</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="Justin Jalil" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/justin-jalil/">Justin Jalil</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			
								<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-nba-star-bounced-by-visa/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2014/03/Dallas-Mavericks-Gal-Mekel-400x250.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Gal Mekel in his days as Dallas Mavericks #33 (photo credit: Courtesy NBA)" title="Gal Mekel in his days as Dallas Mavericks #33 (photo credit: Courtesy NBA)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">November 13, 2014, 2:08 am</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-nba-star-bounced-by-visa/">
								Israeli NBA star bounced by visa							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-nba-star-bounced-by-visa/">Gal Mekel was set to join Indiana Pacers, but the paperwork took 24 hours too long</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="JTA" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jta/">JTA</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			
								<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/hoops-guru-connects-israeli-players-to-potential/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2014/10/david-thorpe-21-400x250.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Trainer David Thorpe is flanked by two of his pupils -- Israelis Gal Mekel, left, and Omri Casspi, both playing in the NBA. (Courtesy David Thorpe/JTA)" title="Trainer David Thorpe is flanked by two of his pupils -- Israelis Gal Mekel, left, and Omri Casspi, both playing in the NBA. (Courtesy David Thorpe/JTA)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">October 25, 2014, 12:27 am</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/hoops-guru-connects-israeli-players-to-potential/">
								Hoops guru connects Israeli players to potential							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/hoops-guru-connects-israeli-players-to-potential/">Florida-based trainer David Thorpe is a major key in the success of NBA players Omri Casspi and Gal Mekel</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="Hillel Kuttler" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/hillel-kuttler/">Hillel Kuttler</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			
								<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/lebron-blatts-nba-debut-make-maccabi-ta-a-sideshow-against-cavs/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2013/03/LeBron_James_national_anthem_USA_vs_Dominican_Republic-400x250.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Lebron James sings the national anthem prior to the start of a team USA exhibition game against the Dominican Republic, July 12, 2012, at the Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)" title="Lebron James sings the national anthem prior to the start of a team USA exhibition game against the Dominican Republic, July 12, 2012, at the Thomas and Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">October 3, 2014, 4:33 am</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/lebron-blatts-nba-debut-make-maccabi-ta-a-sideshow-against-cavs/">
								LeBron, Blatt&#8217;s NBA debut make Maccabi TA a sideshow against Cavs							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/lebron-blatts-nba-debut-make-maccabi-ta-a-sideshow-against-cavs/">Israeli club on Sunday to face 4-time MVP -- and the ex-coach who led team to win European and Israeli championships</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="Hillel Kuttler" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/hillel-kuttler/">Hillel Kuttler</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			
								<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/mekel-the-maverick-model/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2014/09/untitled-121-400x250.png" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Gal Mekel and his longtime girlfriend, Danyelle Sims, at a Renuar event (Courtesy Renuar)" title="Gal Mekel and his longtime girlfriend, Danyelle Sims, at a Renuar event (Courtesy Renuar)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">September 16, 2014, 4:37 pm</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/mekel-the-maverick-model/">
								Mekel, the maverick model							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/mekel-the-maverick-model/">Hoopster tries on sweaters for Renuar's fall catalog</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="Jessica Steinberg" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jessica-steinberg/">Jessica Steinberg</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			
								<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/can-gal-mekel-make-his-point-in-dallas/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2014/06/gal-mekel-e1403838701214-400x250.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Gal Mekel, shown on defense during a preseason game in October 2013, is hoping to become a starter for Dallas following knee surgery that curtailed his rookie season. (photo credit: Hillel Kuttler)" title="Gal Mekel, shown on defense during a preseason game in October 2013, is hoping to become a starter for Dallas following knee surgery that curtailed his rookie season. (photo credit: Hillel Kuttler)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">June 27, 2014, 6:15 am</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/can-gal-mekel-make-his-point-in-dallas/">
								Can Gal Mekel make his point in Dallas?							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/can-gal-mekel-make-his-point-in-dallas/">After enduring knee injury that curtailed his rookie season, Israeli basketballer returns to US arena</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="Hillel Kuttler" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/hillel-kuttler/">Hillel Kuttler</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			
								<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/nbas-gal-mekel-battles-back-after-knee-injury/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2014/03/Dallas-Mavericks-Gal-Mekel-400x250.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Gal Mekel in his days as Dallas Mavericks #33 (photo credit: Courtesy NBA)" title="Gal Mekel in his days as Dallas Mavericks #33 (photo credit: Courtesy NBA)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">March 31, 2014, 7:26 pm</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/nbas-gal-mekel-battles-back-after-knee-injury/">
								NBA&#8217;s Gal Mekel battles back after knee injury							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/nbas-gal-mekel-battles-back-after-knee-injury/">Optimistic of a full recovery, the second Israeli in the league joins a record-breaking 92 international players from 39 countries</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="Howard Blas" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/howard-blas/">Howard Blas</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			
								<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-israeli-nba-ballers-casspi-mekel-face-off/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2013/11/mekelcassspi-e1383429050467-400x250.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Israelis Omri Casspi, left, of the Houston Rockets and Gal Mekel of the Dallas Mavericks sharing a friendly moment at the Toyota Center in Houston before their teams squared off in a preseason game, Oct. 21, 2013. (Hillel Kuttler)" title="Israelis Omri Casspi, left, of the Houston Rockets and Gal Mekel of the Dallas Mavericks sharing a friendly moment at the Toyota Center in Houston before their teams squared off in a preseason game, Oct. 21, 2013. (Hillel Kuttler)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">November 2, 2013, 7:42 pm</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-israeli-nba-ballers-casspi-mekel-face-off/">
								In first, Israeli NBA ballers Casspi, Mekel face off							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-israeli-nba-ballers-casspi-mekel-face-off/">Houston Rockets beat Dallas Mavericks 113-105 in first game between Israel's two professional basketball players in US league</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="TOI staff" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/times-of-israel-staff/">TOI staff</a> and <a title="JTA" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/jta/">JTA</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			
								<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-omri-casspi-to-play-for-houston/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2012/03/IMG_0186-400x250.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="Double chai. Omri Casspi in the locker room before Wednesday&#039;s game. (Photo credit: Howard Blas, Times of Israel)" title="Double chai. Omri Casspi in the locker room before Wednesday&#039;s game. (Photo credit: Howard Blas, Times of Israel)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">July 7, 2013, 1:43 am</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-omri-casspi-to-play-for-houston/">
								Omri Casspi to play for Houston							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-omri-casspi-to-play-for-houston/">After two frustrating years in Cleveland, forward will hope to start fresh with a two-year, $2 million deal</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="Raphael Gellar" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/raphael-gellar/">Raphael Gellar</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			
								<div class="item template1 news">
											<div class="media">
														<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/morsis-48-hours/"><img width="400" height="250" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/uploads/2013/07/APTOPIX-Mideast-Egypt_Horo-400x250.jpg" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image" alt="An Egyptian protester waves a national flag as Egyptians gather in Tahrir Square during a demonstration against President Mohammed Morsi in Cairo, Sunday, June 30, 2013. (photo credit: AP/Amr Nabil)" title="An Egyptian protester waves a national flag as Egyptians gather in Tahrir Square during a demonstration against President Mohammed Morsi in Cairo, Sunday, June 30, 2013. (photo credit: AP/Amr Nabil)" /></a>
						</div>
										<div class="item-content">
													<div class="date">July 2, 2013, 1:38 pm</div>
													<div class="headline">
							<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/morsis-48-hours/">
								Morsi&#8217;s 48 hours							</a>
						</div>
													<div class="underline">
								<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/morsis-48-hours/">Israel's dailies focus on the possible coup brewing in neighboring Egypt, pushing domestic news to the sidelines</a>
							</div>
												<div class="byline">
							By <a title="Aaron Kalman" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/aaron-kalman/">Aaron Kalman</a>						</div>
					</div>
				</div>			

				<div class="item load-more">
					<a href="#" 
					data-before_date="1372761482" 
					data-taxonomy="post_tag" 
					data-term_id="75994" 
					data-numposts="15"
					data-post_tag="">
						Load More
					</a>
				</div>	</section>
	<aside class="cols2 block sticky-sidebar">
		<div class="sticky-sidebar-wrap">
						
		<div id="div-gpt-ad-BTF_SKY_1" class="banner b300x600">
			<script type="text/javascript">
			googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-BTF_SKY_1"); });
			</script>
		</div>		</div>
	</aside>
</div>

					</div><!-- end main -->

					<footer class="footer">
				<div class="container">
					<div class="footer-top">
						<a class="logo" href="/"><img alt="The Times of Israel" src="https://static.timesofisrael.com/www/images/toi_logo_white.svg"></a>
					</div>
					<div class="footer-middle">
						<div>
							<ul class="main-menu-footer">
								<li><a href="/">home</a></li>
								<li><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-and-the-region/">Israel &amp; the Region</a></li><li><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-times/">Jewish Times</a></li><li><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-inside/">Israel Inside</a></li><li><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/ops-and-blogs/">The Blogs</a></li><li><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/start-up-israel/">Startup Israel</a></li>								<li><a href="/the-daily-edition/">daily edition</a></li>
							</ul>
						</div>
						<div>
							<ul class="social-footer social-small">
					       		<li><a href="/terms/">terms and conditions</a></li>
					       		<li><a href="/privacy/">privacy policy</a></li>
					       		<li><a href="/about/">about us</a></li>
					       		<li><a href="/advertise/">advertise with us</a></li>
					       		<li><a href="/contact/">contact us</a></li>
					       		<li class="facebook"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/timesofisrael" rel="external">facebook</a></li>
					       		<li class="twitter"><a href="https://twitter.com/timesofisrael" rel="external">twitter</a></li>
					       	</ul>
				       </div>
				       <div>
				       		<div class="newsletter" data-website="timesofisrael" data-from="footer">
				       			<form>
				       				<div class="text">subscribe to the daily edition</div>
				       				<input type="text" name="email" class="email-address" value="" placeholder="e-mail address">
				       				<button type="submit" class="submit"><span>submit</span></button>
				       				<div class="newsletter-error">
				       					<span>The email is either missing or invalid</span>
				       				</div>
				       			</form>
				       		</div>
				       </div>
					</div>
					<div class="footer-bottom">
						© 2018 <span>The Times of Israel,</span> all rights reserved
					</div>
				</div>

				<div class="rgbmedia" style="background-color: #fff;color: #000;font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif;text-transform: uppercase;font-size: 10px;height: 60px;">
					<div class="rgbmedia-wrap" style="background-color: #fff;color: #000;font-family: Arial,helvetica,sans-serif;text-transform: uppercase;font-size: 10px;display: flex;align-items: center;justify-content: space-around;height: 60px;max-width: 455px;margin: 0 auto;width: 100%;">
						<div class="text">
							<span class="mh">Concept, design &amp; </span>development by
						</div>
						<div class="rgblogo">
							<a href="http://rgbmedia.org" rel="external" title="RGB Media"><img src="//static.timesofisrael.com/salamandra/images/footer_rgb_black.svg" style="display: block;margin-top: -3px;margin-right: 7px;" height="22"></a>
						</div>
						<div class="text">
							Powered by
						</div>
						<div class="salalogo" style="display: block;margin-bottom: 2px;">
							<a href="http://www.rgbmedia.org" rel="external" title="Salamandra"><img src="//static.timesofisrael.com/salamandra/images/footer_sala_black.svg" style="display: block;margin-top: -3px;" height="14"></a>
						</div>
					</div>
				</div>


			</footer>
				<script type='text/javascript' src='//static.timesofisrael.com/js/responsiveslides.min.js?ver=1.55'></script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='//static.timesofisrael.com/js/jquery.fitvids.js?ver=1502265084'></script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='//static.timesofisrael.com/js/global_functions.js?ver=1521704371'></script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='//static.timesofisrael.com/www/js/functions.js?ver=1512906913'></script>

		
		<!-- facebook -->
		<div id="fb-root"></div>
		<script>
		window.fbAsyncInit = function() {
		    FB.init({
		    	appId      : '123142304440875',
		      	xfbml      : true,
		      	version    : 'v2.8'
		    });
	    	FB.AppEvents.logPageView();

			
		};
		(function(d, s, id){
			var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
			if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;}
			js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
			js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js";
			fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
		}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));
		</script>
		<!-- Twitter -->
		<script>
		window.twttr = (function(d, s, id) {
		  var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],
		    t = window.twttr || {};
		  if (d.getElementById(id)) return t;
		  js = d.createElement(s);
		  js.id = id;
		  js.src = "https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js";
		  fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);

		  t._e = [];
		  t.ready = function(f) {
		    t._e.push(f);
		  };

		  return t;
		}(document, "script", "twitter-wjs"));
		</script>

		
		<!-- interstitial ad -->
				<script src='https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js'>
  		googletag.pubads().definePassback('/264857099/TOI_EN/Special/Desktop_Interstitial', [1, 1]).setTargeting('TOI_articleID', []).display();
		</script>
				<!-- /end interstitial ad -->

	</body>
</html>