With the United Nations General Assembly convening in New York this week, efforts to ban Israel from international sports intensified, as a group of U.N. experts issued a statement calling for the suspension of the Jewish state from international soccer.
“Sports must reject the perception that it is business as usual,” it said.
The push was reinforced by a Qatari-backed proposal to expel Israel from UEFA, which was dropped only after intense lobbying by Israeli diplomats and U.S. representatives.
One senior source at a European member association told BBC Sport: “Our understanding is that UEFA leadership wants to see some action on this. Nothing is confirmed or scheduled. But there is a new, high-level pressure from many nations compared to just a month ago.”
Israel competes in UEFA after being expelled from the Asian Football Confederation in 1974.
The U.S. State Department is working to rein in the push.
“We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup,” a spokesperson said.
Elsewhere, the Israel–Premier Tech cycling team continues to feel the fallout from the Vuelta a España controversy.
Factors founder Rob Gitelis said the Israel brand made sponsoring the team untenable. “I’ve already told the team: Without a name change, without a flag change, we won’t continue,” he said.
In response, the team released a statement: “The team is currently in the planning phase for 2026 team branding and will communicate any potential changes in due course.”
Baseball
Israel was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Baseball European Championship when the Czech Republic defeated it 4-3. There was some hope of a late rally: Trailing 4-0 in the top of the ninth, Israel strung together three straight singles and a walk, bringing the potential winning run to the plate.
Three consecutive outs then ended Israel’s tournament hopes.
The team finished the tournament 2-3, recording wins against France and Switzerland and losses to the Netherlands, Great Britain and the Czech Republic.
The team will now turn its attention to planning for the 2026 World Baseball Classic in March.
Flag Football
The Israeli men’s team opened the European Championships in Paris in strong form, recording big wins over Slovakia, Sweden and Hungary. On day two, it concludes the group stage with games against France and the Czech Republic.
The women’s team struggled in their opening matches, falling in a close game to Switzerland before losing to Austria. On day two, it faces Slovenia and the Netherlands.
Swimming
At the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore, Israel sits 12th on the medal table with three gold, two silver and one bronze medal, as of this writing.
Ami Omer Dadaon was the standout performer, capturing all three of Israel’s gold medals. He has now won four Paralympic and 10 World Championship golds.
Around the grounds
Tennis: Israel has been drawn to face Lithuania in next year’s Davis Cup World Group I play-offs.
Taekwondo: Rivka Bayech, Ariel Vigdor and Tom Pashcovsky each won silver at a tournament in Poland.
Climbing: Mor Sapir claimed bronze at the World Championships in South Korea.
Beach Volleyball: Eylon Elazar and Kevin Cuzmiciov qualified for the elite tournament in Brazil.
Beach Football: Kfar Qassem BS successfully defended their World Winners Cup title.
Golf: Laetitia Beck regained her LPGA Tour card following a strong season on the secondary Epson Tour.
Football: Oscar Gloukh scored his first goal for Ajax, netting a late equalizer against arch-rival PSV.
