Israel has a bobsled team, and it wants to compete in the Olympics

December 11, 2018

BY JOSEFIN DOLSTEN

NEW YORK (JTA) — In the span of just a couple days, Chaim Raice went from never having been on a bobsled to being a contender to represent Israel in the 2022 Winter Olympics. And it all...

Spanish sports minister apologizes for canceling of water polo match against Israel due to boycott

November 27, 2018

Israeli player Lior Ben David, front, shown at a match at the Baku 2015 European Games at the Water Polo Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan, June 15, 2015. (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images for BEGOC)

(JTA) — Spain’s minister for sports apologized for...

European soccer lifts ban on airing World Cup games in Jewish settlements

October 24, 2018

JERUSALEM (JTA) — In a reversal, Israel’s public broadcaster will be allowed to air the preliminary games of the World Cup and Euro 2020 soccer tournaments, including in West Bank settlements.

The Union of European Football Associations, or UEFA, walked...

Moe Berg, catcher who became a spy, gets an exhibit in Baseball Hall of Fame

September 09, 2018

(JTA) — Moe Berg is going into the Baseball Hall of Fame – as a spy, not a catcher.

The shrine to the national pastime in Cooperstown, New York, recently opened an exhibit on the Jewish player, who gained more...

Israeli equestrian rider withdraws from world championships due to conflict with Yom Kippur

August 29, 2018

(Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

JERUSALEM (JTA) — An Israeli equestrian rider has withdrawn from next month’s world championships because the competition will take place on Yom Kippur.

The International Equestrian Federation event, which will take place this year in North...

Alex Bregman wins baseball All-Star game MVP with tie-breaking home run

July 19, 2018

(JTA) — In a baseball All-Star game that set a record for home runs, Alex Bregman had the most important one.

Bregman, the Jewish third baseman for the Houston Astros, snapped a 10th-inning tie with his two-run shot to power the American...

Israeli soccer fans harassed at World Cup in Moscow

June 22, 2018

(JTA) — Soccer fans displaying Israeli flags at World Cup matches in Russia have been subjected to threats, harassment and violence.

In one incident, a man wearing an Israeli flag around his shoulders was filmed as he was being chased...

How geopolitics keeps Israel out of World Cup contention

June 18, 2018

By CHARLES DUNST 

NEW YORK (JTA) — On Thursday, Saudi Arabia and Russia opened the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament before 81,000 fans at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium amid concerns over the host’s human rights record.

While Saudi Arabia and Iran will...

Patriots’ Julian Edelman facing 4-game suspension over use of banned substances

June 08, 2018

(JTA) — New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman reportedly is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs, but he is appealing.

League sources told ESPN of the suspension on Thursday, the sports network reported....

Why it’s a big deal that Argentina cancelled its soccer game in Israel

June 08, 2018

By BEN SALES

(JTA) — Israelis want nothing more than for their country to be considered normal.

That may have to wait.

A much-anticipated soccer game between the Argentine and Israeli national teams was canceled Wednesday because, Israeli and Argentine...