Israel Active

Yes, we’re in the middle of a war; Spring has turned into Summer; a new US Ambassador is welcomed; but other events will take place as normal. Education Week, Jerusalem International Writers Festival and Book Forum, National Library Conference, Declaration Day, etc.

Israeli soccer international Manor Solomon fired Leeds United to the English Championship title with a stoppage-time winner in a 2–1 victory over Plymouth Argyle. Just watch the video of Solomon’s superb goal and the celebrations of him and the Leeds fans.

During the annual London Marathon, 59 runners donned yellow hats and pinned photographs of the 59 remaining Gaza hostages to their shirts, taking the 26.2-mile run as an opportunity to spread awareness about their plight after 570 days in captivity.

Israel’s Noam Sasson, an 11-and-a-half-year-old chess prodigy, won two medals at the World Youth Chess Championship in Rhodes. Competing in the 10-12 age category, Sasson earned world runner-up titles in both rapid and blitz chess.

Few Hollywood actresses can be like Gal Gadot. She can identify a weapon from any distance, lift a car in one scene, close multi-million dollar real estate deals, and still be home in time for dinner with her four daughters and husband. Her films have grossed over $2 billion. She is Israel’s No. 1 ambassador.

Israel recently inaugurated the Gvaot Forest Scenic Route (Derech Nof Gvaot) in Gush Etzion. The 4.3 mile trail, Judea and Samaria’s longest scenic route to date, “offers breathtaking views, forest serenity, and the options of hiking, cycling, or driving”.

During Passover, 1.5 million Israelis visited parks and forests managed by KKL-JNF. The Re’im Recreation Area, which features the Nova music festival memorial, attracted more than 7,000 visitors daily.

Israeli windsurfer Tamar Steinberg won the gold medal in the women’s iQFoil at the World Cup in Hyeres, France. Israel’s Sharon Kantor won bronze in the same event. It was Tamar’s second gold medal in a row, having won first place in Cadiz, Spain, last month.

Zeev Buium took the ice yesterday for the Minnesota Wild, becoming the first NHL player born to Israeli parents to feature in a National (Ice) Hockey League game. Zeev’s older brother Shai plays in the AHL.

Israel's national acrobatic gymnastics team delivered a standout performance at the 2025 European Championships in Luxembourg, winning two gold medals and two silver. The senior men’s team won the all-around title; and the mixed pairs (Refaeli and Fridman) won the combined.