Israel Active

Israel's jiu-jitsu team capped the Junior World Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Abu Dhabi winning 13 medals, including four gold medals, and finishing second in the overall medal table. Watch 16-year-old Mila Ben David win her gold medal and sing Hatikvah.

Israel’s under-18 women’s basketball team won gold at the European Group B Championship in Romania. Israeli paralympian  Guy Sasson and his Dutch teammate, Niels Vink won the Wimbledon quad (wheelchair) doubles crown. And Ariel Shulman won the U-60kg judoka European Open.

British pop icon Boy George has released a single, “Od Nirkod - We Will Dance Again”. It defends Israel’s military response in Gaza, criticizes musicians and activists who have publicly supported the Palestinian cause and declares, “If you’re ever confused: I stand with the Jews.”

It may not be in Israel, but Raz Shabtai’s Mutra in North Miami is the first Israeli-run restaurant in the world to be awarded the coveted Michelin star.

Israel’s Eurovision 2026 singer Noam Bettan wrapped himself in tefillin (philatelies) and prayed before his Eurovision performance. Noam came second to Bulgaria in the final competition singing “Michelle”. It was a great result as Israel does not need the trouble and expense of hosting next year’s event.

Israeli rhythmic gymnastics team won gold at the World Cup in the all-around competition and the five-balls routine in Baku, Azerbaijan. Daniela Munits won gold medals in both the Cross Battle competition and the clubs final. The Israelis also won a silver medal and two golds.

More than 1,000 residents attended the Ishay Ribo concert that opened the Talmidim Amphitheater, a new venue in the Binyamin Region. Tickets were sold out within two hours. The venue is planned to be expanded to accommodate up to 3,000 spectators.

Star attraction at the the 61st Venice Biennale contemporary art exhibition was the installation by Israeli artist Belu-Simion Fainaru. “Rose of Nothingness” includes drip irrigation, mezuzahs, and locks engraved with the commandment “Love thy neighbor as thyself”.

Israeli gymnasts Artem Dolgopyat won gold and Noam Berkovich, bronze in the Men’s Floor Exercise competition, sharing  the podium at the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup in Osijek, Croatia.

Israel’s Guy Gutman won gold at the Senior European Cup Judo event in Croatia. Gutman delivered an impressive performance on the mat and clinched the gold with an ippon against Croatia’s Dani Klačar in the final.