The controversy surrounding Israel Premier Tech cycling team at Vuelta a España reaches new heights, with Israel's Foreign Ministry entering the center of the matter. In the past week, following growing protests against the team, its leadership decided to remove the name "Israel" from riders' uniforms. In an official statement, the Foreign Ministry emphasized it was not involved in the team's decision and clarified that responsibility for athlete security lies with Spanish authorities and organizers.

As previously reported, team leadership announced at the beginning of the week that removing the "Israel" inscription was primarily intended to protect riders and reduce the intensity of opposition that intensified during the race's first stages. The decision was made based on security considerations; however, protests continued, parts of the route were blocked, and riders experienced tense situations during the race.

El día de hoy se suspendió la llegada a la meta en la etapa 11 de la vuelta ciclista en España.
El pueblo vasco salió a las calles de Bilbao para manifestar su repudio al equipo de IsraHell y demostrar apoyo al pueblo de #Palestina
#StopGazaGenocide‌NOW pic.twitter.com/4WODE4Hac1

— Festivales Media (@festivalesgt) September 3, 2025

Following this, the Foreign Ministry responded with a sharp statement about the move, stating that "The Foreign Ministry was not involved at all in the team's decision regarding the inscription on participant jerseys in the race." The ministry noted further that "The embassy in Spain has acted and is acting with Spanish authorities and official bodies to strongly protest the conduct toward the team and demand that competition organizers and the host country bear responsibility for the team's security and all participants." The ministry clarified that Israel expects every country "to allow Israeli athletes and artists to appear with state symbols."

Despite efforts to protect riders, protests continued and intensified. Pro-Palestinian organizations attempted to block riders' path on the route, with delays recorded in the field and even confrontations with local police. Images from the Vuelta showed the severity of the situation and presented the team at the center of a global debate about freedom of expression in sports and protest boundaries.

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The head of the Israeli Baseball Association entered his role with passionate determination to expand the sport's reach beyond its traditional base among North American olim. Varon, a Tel Aviv resident married with three children, made aliyah from Oregon at age 13 and discovered baseball accidentally at a Ra'anana training session.

"For me, baseball is much more than a game," Varon said in an exclusive interview with Israel Hayom. "It's a place where I learned values, gained lifelong friends, and now I want to pass that on to the next generation in Israel."

The sport faces a critical juncture following its historic success at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and its restoration to the Olympic program for Los Angeles 2028 after being absent from the Paris 2024 Games. Varon sees this as a dual opportunity to solidify Israel's national team internationally while demonstrating to Israeli children the potential heights they can reach.

Baseball provided Varon with essential integration tools as a teenage immigrant who barely spoke Hebrew. "I arrived in Israel as a teenager, hardly knowing a word of Hebrew," he explained. "Baseball was the place where I found a common language. It didn't matter if I didn't speak Hebrew - on the field, everything was clear: rules, team, responsibility. It gave me an incredible sense of belonging."

The association head emphasizes the character-building aspects of baseball for his own three children and the next generation. "I want them to have the opportunity to grow up with the values that baseball provides: discipline, cooperation, and also patience," Varon said. "It's not a game of immediate solutions, but of planning, strategic thinking, and proper utilization of opportunities."

Leagues, fields, and Olympic dreams

Varon assumed his position at a critical moment for Israeli baseball. While the sport gained international exposure through its historic Tokyo 2020 success, domestic conditions remain far from ideal. The number of fields is limited, youth leagues struggle for budgets, and schools barely recognize the sport.

"I want baseball to be accessible to every child in Israel who wants to try," he declared. "That means more fields, more coaches, and an organized program that connects the sport to the education system. It's impossible for this to remain an 'American niche' game – there's real potential here, and children who come fall in love with it very quickly."

His vision extends beyond Israel's borders. With baseball's return to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Varon sees a double opportunity to continue establishing the national team globally while showing Israeli children where they can reach. "Anyone who saw the national team in Tokyo knows this isn't fantasy," Varon projects optimism. "Israel can compete with the greats for real. My goal is that we'll reach Los Angeles with a young and hungry squad, one that represents not only American immigrants but also the natives who learned the game here."

One of Varon's greatest challenges involves establishing a different sports culture in Israel than the one in which he grew up. In the United States, baseball is almost a religion with packed stadiums, millions of viewers, and an entire language of statistics and data. In Israel, it remains primarily known to North American olim who must still build its popularity.

"I understand why some people say baseball is too slow," he acknowledged with a smile, while believing the perception can change. "Those who understand the game discover a whole world. There's deep tactical thinking here, dramas that unfold in one small moment, and most importantly, it's a team game. You can't succeed in it alone."

According to Varon, Israeli culture can provide an interesting twist to the game. "There's energy here, creativity, healthy 'chutzpah'. That's what's needed to develop the Israeli style in baseball, one that doesn't try to copy the Americans but finds its own original path."

When asked what drives him to invest so much time and energy, Varon hardly hesitates. "I feel a mission," he said simply. "There were moments when I asked myself why I'm doing this, since it's not always simple. But then I see a ten-year-old child stepping onto the field for the first time, hitting the ball, and feeling that excitement, and it reminds me of myself at that age. If I succeed in giving another generation that experience, I've done my part."

The challenges are clearly numerous: raising budgets, convincing decision-makers to invest in fields, and expanding the fan base in a country where sports already compete for attention against countless other options. Nevertheless, Varon remains convinced the right approach is slow and steady, with organized long-term investment.

Varon concluded: "We're not looking for shortcuts. The goal is to build stable foundations, so that baseball remains here for decades more. My dream? To see a packed baseball stadium in Tel Aviv, with families coming to enjoy the game, and knowing that the children who played today on Ra'anana or Petach Tikva fields are those representing Israel on the Olympic stage in Los Angeles."

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A laser projector from a building on Rivoli Street displayed the provocative message on the balloon "Stop Génocide à Gaza" ("Stop the genocide in Gaza"). The projection took place around 10:30 p.m., witnessed by spectators and official guests who were surprised by the blatant political display. According to the organization, the projection aimed to "remind of the fate of the civilian population in Gaza."

Anne Savinel-Barras, president of Amnesty International in France, said in a media statement that "we can no longer stand by" and accused Israel of violating international law. She even claimed that "Israel uses hunger as a weapon of war."

Israel is continuing to use starvation as a method of warfare, a war crime, and as a tool to commit genocide against Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip.

The harrowing suffering of starving Palestinians in Gaza, including our own colleagues, on an hourly basis, is… pic.twitter.com/AfUlgb8jc6

— Amnesty International (@amnesty) July 22, 2025

Anti-Israeli organizations and hostile leaders such as Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continue to accuse Israel of genocide – accusations that the State of Israel completely rejects, noting that this is a coordinated campaign designed to blacken its image and break its legitimacy for self-defense.

The operation in Gaza has continued for more than 21 months, following the murderous terror attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in which 1,219 Israelis were killed – most of them civilians, women, children, and elderly – and 251 civilians and soldiers were kidnapped to the Strip.

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This sweeping policy change stems from President Donald Trump's February executive order titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," which requires immediate compliance from organizations that previously permitted transgender participation in women's athletics. USOPC President Gene Sykes and CEO Sarah Hirshland informed the Team USA community Tuesday that "as a federally chartered organization, we have an obligation to comply with federal expectations."

The committee oversees the selection, training support, and competitive representation of the American Olympic and Paralympic teams, while advancing athletic development nationwide. Updated athlete safety protocols, which avoid explicit "transgender" terminology, declare, "Our revised policy emphasizes the importance of ensuring fair and safe competition environments for women."

USOPC released an official statement: "The USOPC is committed to protecting opportunities for athletes participating in sport. The USOPC will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders with oversight responsibilities, e.g., IOC, IPC, NGBs, to ensure that women have a fair and safe competition environment consistent with Executive Order 14201 and the Ted Stevens Olympic & Amateur Sports Act." The 1998 Ted Stevens legislation establishes procedures for resolving eligibility conflicts in American Olympic and amateur sports competitions. The current policy revision omits specific implementation procedures or clarification regarding men's competitive categories.

USA Fencing has already modified its gender eligibility standards following the broader policy shift. Beginning August 1, transgender women, non-binary competitors, transgender men, and intersex athletes may participate exclusively in men's divisions.

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The event took place in Paris on Wednesday and included prominent elements of Palestinian support. Starting with large PLO flags waved on stage, through the projection of political messages, to Saint Levant's own appearance wearing a shirt with the inscription "With love to Gaza."

Inaho, who starred in French media over the past year as a symbol of a strong and ethnically diverse women's team, documented the event in a series of Instagram stories. In one of them, Saint Levant can be seen waving a Palestinian flag before the audience. Inaho added text in English stating "Thank you so much," alongside a red heart icon and a PLO flag.

Saint Levant currently resides in the US and is considered a prominent figure in the political hip-hop scene. Over the past year, he has repeatedly made headlines following statements against Israel – including a performance in Amsterdam in November 2024, where he praised attackers of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans and said, "I focus only on the Palestinian struggle – this is my identity, this is my mission."

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Leading the campaign is BDS France, the local branch of the anti-Israel boycott movement, which has launched an online campaign urging protests against the team's participation. The organization published the race route and has called on activists to stage "silent protests" at each stage of the event.

"Once again, the apartheid team from Israel is participating in the Tour. We say no to whitewashing Israel's war crimes through sports. The Israeli team must be boycotted," read one of their posts on social media. These calls are part of a broader wave of anti-Israel demonstrations that have spread across Europe since the outbreak of the war on October 7, with a particular focus on athletes and teams representing Israel on the global stage.

This is not the first time Israel–Premier Tech has faced protests. In fact, the team has encountered demonstrations at nearly every Grand Tour it has raced in - the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia, and the Vuelta a España. However, the climate has only grown more volatile since October 7, 2023.

A recent example occurred during the Giro d'Italia, when two protesters disrupted one of the stages by storming onto the course, forcing the peloton to a halt and nearly causing a serious accident. The demonstrators carried anti-Israel signs and threw paint on the road before being detained.

French police and race organizers are taking the threats seriously and have stepped up security measures for the opening stages. According to local sources, security forces are coordinating efforts to prevent disruptions and ensure the safety of the riders and spectators.

Despite the mounting pressure, Israel–Premier Tech is maintaining a business-as-usual stance. The team has presented a focused rider lineup, aiming to return to Paris with at least one stage win - and ideally, two.

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Senior officials have approached Trump's inner circle about attending the opening ceremony of the international Jewish sporting event, which would build upon then-President Joe Biden's surprise appearance in 2022 and potentially elevate the "Jewish Olympics" to unprecedented global prominence.

The initiative remains in the preliminary feasibility assessment stage, with no formal invitation yet extended to the White House. Nevertheless, senior Maccabiah organizers report that Trump's close associates have expressed initial interest after being briefed on the event's significance and international profile.

"We would be very happy to see the president come to Jerusalem," Maccabiah officials said, while acknowledging Trump's unpredictable nature might lead to a spontaneous last-minute decision regarding his attendance.

Jared Kushner will also be invited

While the formal invitation would need to come from official Israeli channels like the Prime Minister's Office or Ministry of Foreign Affairs, direct contact has already been made to Jared Kushner – Trump's son-in-law and husband of his eldest daughter Ivanka. Organizers hope Kushner can help secure Trump's attendance at the July 8 opening ceremony at Jerusalem's Teddy Stadium, which will host tens of thousands of spectators and representatives from over 80 countries. Israeli President Isaac Herzog is also scheduled to attend, alongside other high-ranking officials.

Kushner, who served as a senior advisor during Trump's first term, was instrumental in the administration's Middle East policy and played a key role in negotiating the Abraham Accords between Israel and several Arab nations.

The strategic initiative reflects Israel's broader ambition to elevate the Maccabiah Games – widely known as the "Jewish Olympics" – to greater international prominence and visibility.

The previous Maccabiah in summer 2022 featured a surprise appearance by then-President Joe Biden, who attended a special ceremony at Teddy Stadium where he met with athletes and expressed strong support for the sporting event and its cultural significance. Current efforts appear aimed at recreating – and potentially amplifying – that historic presidential engagement.

A presidential visit would entail extensive security and logistical preparations, requiring coordination between the US Secret Service, Israel's Shin Bet, the national police force, and numerous agencies responsible for VIP security.

The 22nd Maccabiah Games will take place across multiple Israeli cities including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa, bringing together more than 10,000 Jewish athletes from around the world and hundreds of thousands of spectators. Should Trump accept the invitation, organizers believe it could become one of the most significant Maccabiah Games in the event's storied history.

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Guy Toib, an Israeli swimmer studying at Saint Thomas University in Florida, claims he was excluded from the conference championship and team practices after complaining to the university president about a Palestinian swimmer being invited to team events and the political atmosphere created by her visit. "The coach apologized – but it was too late. The damage cannot be fixed," the swimmer told Israel Hayom.

This follows a weekend interview with Valerie Tarazi, a Palestinian swimmer, in which she complained about the lack of Olympic-sized pools in Palestinian Authority territories. Following the interview, Toib – a 22-year-old Israeli swimmer – revealed for the first time what he experienced at St. Thomas University in Miami: systematic exclusion for political reasons, politicization of the locker room, and ongoing professional humiliation.

Tarazi, who finished in last position at the Tokyo Olympics and previously swam at Auburn University, was invited for a full weekend with the St. Thomas swimming team. "She participated in three practices, in the ring ceremony we held after winning the 2024 NAIA championship, and in another recognition ceremony at the university's football game," Toib explained.

According to him, her presence was accompanied by unmistakable political messages: "She removed the university cap and swam with a Palestinian cap right in front of me and the entire team. The coach praised her, asked the swimmers to 'show her respect,' and within moments the whole team was following her. The team's official Instagram page even shared her profile – without any oversight."

Toib noted this wasn't a one-time invitation: "When rumors started circulating that she would be invited again, I realized it wasn't coincidental. Later, I discovered she had even taught the team technique during one of her previous visits. At that point, I felt I had to stop it, and I went directly to the university president."

The coach apologized – but it was too late

Following the complaint, the head coach, who, according to Toib, actively supported pro-Palestinian posts on social media, including some with Hamas symbols and slogans like "From the river to the sea," began to distance Toib from the active roster.

"He claimed it was a professional decision, but that's simply not true," Toib said. "When other swimmers stopped coming to practices close to the conference championship, he removed them from the lists. I continued training even when it was clear I wasn't selected, but I didn't get an opportunity. It was settling scores, period."

Toib emphasized: "The coach justified inviting Tarazi by saying she's 'a swimmer at the highest level,' but that's simply untrue. We have Olympic swimmers on the team, and female swimmers who are much better than her. There's no athletic reason to invite her – except wanting to send a political message."

Eventually, following an official inquiry with the university president, after mediation by Israeli Professor Hagai Gringarten, the coach apologized to Toib, both for bringing Tarazi and for the situation created around him. He was also reprimanded.

"But the apology came only a week after the team had already left for the championship," he said. "I met with the president only on the day they departed, meaning at a stage where it was no longer possible to fix the injustice. The result on the ground was clear: I was left out." Toib, who represents Maccabi Haifa and is considered one of the leading swimmers to come out of Israel in recent years, requested a transfer to another college but was unsuccessful. "In the NAIA league without results, you have nothing to show. No statistics – no transfers," he explained.

Now, he is expected to remain at the same university next year, despite everything. "All I wanted was to compete," he concluded. "But the moment I dared to complain, I became the problem. At least today, I'm no longer staying silent. This isn't just about me – it's about everyone who believes sports should remain free from politics and hatred."

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As first reported in Israel Hayom, Oren Smadja announced he will leave his position as coach of Israel's men's judo team, ending a 15-year career.

In a story posted on his Instagram account, Smadja wrote, "With a heavy heart and after no less than 15 years serving as the coach of Israel's men's judo team, I was forced with immense sadness to submit my resignation to the Israeli Judo Association. You've known me since I was a boy, you know that judo is my life, and my life is judo. But precisely because judo is part of my soul, I can no longer continue. I never thought I would say this, but that's it, I'm throwing in the towel and submitting my resignation.

"I am worried, worried about the future of Israeli judo. Therefore, I felt I had no choice but to sacrifice myself for the future of the sport. Perhaps my resignation will cause someone to understand that if I'm throwing in the towel, it's time for a thorough examination of what's happening behind the scenes. I've endured for years because I didn't want to harm the athletes, but my restraint only made the situation worse. So today I say enough," Smadja added.

The Israeli Judo Association responded, "We received Oren's resignation with regret. We have no intention of entering into an argument with a bereaved father despite the inaccuracies in his statements. Oren was and will always be a central part of Israeli judo's glorious legacy."

Smadja is one of the pioneers in Israeli judo and became the first Israeli man to win an Olympic medal when he captured bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Games. Over the past 15 years, he has led the men's judo team to remarkable achievements, including Sagi Muki's gold medal at the 2019 World Championships, a bronze medal with the mixed team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and a bronze medal with Peter Paltchik at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Last year, Smadja suffered the tragic loss of his son, Omer, who died during military operations in Gaza. Recently, he also lit a ceremonial torch at Israel's Independence Day ceremony, representing Israeli determination and spirit, alongside Paralympic medalist Gal Hamrani and basketball player Deni Avdija.

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Israel's rugby team achieved a historic and particularly dramatic achievement by defeating Malta 16-15 – their first-ever victory against the Mediterranean nation, which is ranked 23 places above Israel in the world rankings of the sport. Beyond the sporting achievement, the match ended with a tense incident when a hostile crowd in the stands began waving Palestinian flags and cursing at the Israeli players, which led to an exceptional response from the players themselves.

בפרצוף: נבחרת ישראל ברוגבי ניצחה 16-15 את נבחרת מלטה - ואת אוהדיה - שצרחו וצעקו במושבי האצטדיון לחינם. אה, וככה נראה ונשמע הפנדל שהכריע את ההתמודדות: @Now14Israel pic.twitter.com/1j68BNJH6v

— Nati Langermann (@NatiLang32) April 6, 2025

The match, which was conducted in a sporting atmosphere throughout most of it, took a sharp turn moments after the competition ended. With the playing of the Israeli anthem, a group of about 60-70 fans began waving Palestinian flags and cursing the team. The players, who were then standing in the traditional line, were forced to deal with a particularly charged moment.

"It looked like a normal game, but suddenly during the anthem, a few seconds after the victory, 60-70 fans raised Palestinian flags and started singing and cursing at us," Gur Levy, a team player, said. "We were confused among ourselves for a few seconds about what to do. We hugged each other tightly and looked each other in the eyes – and then just sang the anthem as loudly as possible, to silence them."

In response to the events, two of the team's players, Yishai Avrahami and Gur Levy, approached the hostile crowd, proudly raised the Israeli flag, and even had their picture taken against the background of the protesters. The image instantly went viral and generated significant reactions on social media in Israel and worldwide.

Federation Chairman Ofer Hamburger told Israel Hayom, "On the field, it was a strong, tense, and fair game, while Palestinian flags were raised in the stands and there were shouts of abuse toward the Israeli players. The rugby players, who are fighters by nature, did not need a motivational talk to get fired up on the field. It should be noted that the protesters have no connection to the rugby federation and the local crowd, and we received excellent hospitality from all Maltese parties. The final result positions the team as a contender for a playoff spot for promotion in Europe. Go go Israel."

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