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Maccabiah Games opening ceremony begins in Jerusalem with thousands attending

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 1, 2026, 9:40 PM

Last updated Jul 1, 2026

Maccabiah Games opening ceremony begins in Jerusalem with thousands attending

Summary

The Maccabiah Games, known as the 'Jewish Olympics', commenced on July 1, 2026, at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem, featuring around 5,000 athletes from 35 countries. Key figures including President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the attendees, emphasizing support for Israel amid current regional tensions. This year’s games are particularly significant, being the first held since the events of October 7, 2023. The ceremony included performances from popular Israeli artists and concluded with a poignant torch-lighting ceremony.

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By the Numbers

•About 5,000 athletes participated in the opening ceremony.
•The event included performances from artists like Idan Raichel and Netta Barzilai.
•Prime Minister Netanyahu faced mixed reactions while addressing the crowd.
•The games were postponed from the previous year due to regional conflict.

Latest Updates

9:40 PMYahoo Sports — Maccabiah opening ceremony kicks off in Jerusalem, thousands of athletes in attendance

What they're saying

"
Both President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the crowd during the ceremony, bidding the Jews who had come from around the world a warm “welcome home. ” The Maccabiah Games, often referred to as the “Jewish Olympics,” kicked off on Wednesday evening with around 5,000 athletes from roughly 35 countries participating in the opening ceremony at Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium.
— Yahoo Sports

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