Israel Active

Israeli NBA star Deni Avdija scored a season-high 36 points to fuel Portland Trail Blazers to a 128-109 victory over the Denver Nuggets. He became the first Blazers player since Damian Lillard to record at least 30 points, five rebounds and five assists in consecutive wins. Exciting video.

Israel’s Yarden Garzon plays for Indiana University’s women’s basketball team. Her specialty is scoring three-pointer field goals from long-distance. When she does this at home games, the announcer shouts “Shalosh Garzon” – Shalosh being Hebrew for “three”.  He has called it over 200 times.

Israel got off to a good start in the first qualifying round for the 2026 soccer World Cup, beating Estonia 2-1 in Hungary. Unfortunately they lost against Norway 4-2 in their next match. Norway’s opening goal was equalized by Israel’s Mohammad Abu Fani, which silenced the booing Norwegian fans.

Israeli chef Ran Shmueli has opened his second restaurant, Claro London, offering a Mediterranean dining experience with Middle Eastern influences. (non-kosher)

Two Israeli pizzerias were included in this year’s list of the 50 best pizzerias in the Asia-Pacific region (see previously). La Piedra, Jerusalem, rose to 37th from 39th in 2024 and Haifa’s NeoPolitan won 25th place and the New Entry of the Year award.

Nearly two years after it was announced (see previously) Israeli actress Gal Gadot was honored with the 2,804th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The unveiling (see 34th minute of the video) was enhanced 3 minutes later when the Israeli mother was joined by her husband and 4 children.

The bicycle path connecting Herzliya and Tel Aviv has opened. The 14 km-long path runs along the Coastal Highway and passes near key locations. Mayor Fisher said, “it is possible to travel from Herzliya to Tel Aviv in just 20 minutes, while maintaining fitness and health and enjoying an open-air ride."

The city of Modi’in, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, has opened its first hotel – the 85-room Jacob. “The Chanukah city” is where the Maccabees lived and are buried. It is also Israel’s only “learning city” and is regarded as the world’s first and most modern “green city”.

Israel’s entry for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest has been chosen. The three-minute song “New Day Will Rise” is primarily in English, with several lines in French and Hebrew. It will be performed by Nova music festival survivor Yuval Raphael. The Hebrew is from the Biblical Song of Songs.

Rachel Dallet, 22, moved to Israel in July to join the Hapoel Jerusalem soccer club. Basketball player Nikki Bick, 27, joined Ironi Ness Ziona women and former NBA G League player Ryan Turell joined their men’s team. All have had to shelter from rockets but have no regrets.