Sports

As Gulf state prepares to host largest sporting event, senior official says: "We do not mix sport and politics, but we would hope that Palestinians are able to make it too."

Ironically, Israel's greatest sporting achievement this decade was scored in the diplomatic arena, as long-standing barriers began to crumble across the Arab world.

In an Instagram post with a picture of the cleats, he says he visited Israel in 2015 for the first time, and that the trip was “meaningful” and “helped shape my perspective on things.”

Alon Leviev, 17, beats an athlete from Abu Dhabi in the final of the juniors 55-kilogram-and-under weight category, after competing against contestants from Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

The Argentine soccer superstar and his teammates are in Israel to play an international friendly against his Barcelona teammate Luis Suarez and the Uruguay national team in Tel Aviv on Monday. A year ago, Argentina abruptly canceled a World Cup warmup match in Jerusalem due to pressure from the BDS movement.

Soccer's international governing body says matches against Iran, Bahrain, scheduled to be held in Basra later this month must be played in "neutral" venues.

Group member Amit Hasdai, who uses a handcycle after a shooting in Qalqilya left him partially paralyzed, is training for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Decision follows suspension imposed on Islamic Republic's Judo Federation on Sept. 18 for forcing judoka Saeid Mollaei to withdraw from the world judo championships to avoid having to face an Israeli opponent. Iran has 21 days to appeal decision.