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Belgian City Accused of Antisemitism for Banning Israeli Athletes From International Frisbee Tournament
People walk at a square where Israeli flags are displayed, amid the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 16, 2024. Photo: Reuters/Ricardo Moraes
The Belgian city of Ghent and organizers of an international frisbee tournament are being accused of antisemitism and discrimination after an Israeli delegation of athletes was prohibited from participating in or even being present at the competition that started this week.
A delegation of Israeli boys and girls aged 13 to 17 are in Belgium to compete in the Under-17 European Championship Frisbee Tournament in Ghent that was scheduled to start on Tuesday and run until Aug. 10 at the Blaarmeersen, a sports and recreation park in the city. A total of 33 Israeli athletes traveled to Belgium to compete in the open and mixed divisions of the tournament, which will feature teams from 11 countries.
The city of Ghent had moved all of Israel’s matches in the tournament to the Moerkensheide sports park in the municipal of De Pint, amid security concerns about the presence of Israeli athletes at the Blaarmeersen. However, anti-Israel activists vandalized the Moerkensheide on Monday night, spray-painting buildings in the park with the message “BOYCOTT ISRAHELL NOW!” After Monday night’s vandalism at Moerkensheide, the mayor of De Pint rescinded permission to have the Israeli delegation compete at the sports park.
In a statement posted on the official Instagram account of the Israeli Flying Disc Association, the Israeli delegation said that on the opening day of the tournament, early in the morning and mere hours before the athletes were ready to compete, they were informed that the entire Israeli delegation has been banned from the competition following the vandalism that took place the night before and because of “fear of pro-Palestinian demonstrations.” The Israeli athletes believe the decision was made because of “local antisemitism.”
“It makes no sense that 15-year-old players and players can’t play the sport they love so much because of politics and antisemitism,” they said in a released statement.
The Israel Flying Disc Association said in a separate statement: “We are mad. We are mad because we see this as a political decision and not a security related one. Our security detail repeatedly say that there is no risk in us coming to any of the fields. We are mad because the tournament was so eager to take up a role in preventing a team in participating or spectating the tournament, just because of their nationality, which is discrimination by definition.”
The European Ultimate Federation (EUF) and European Flying Disc Federation (EFDF), both of whom are organizing the tournament, announced on Tuesday that Ghent authorities made the decision to ban the Israeli delegation “given the current local and international unrest, threats and recent incidents.” They added that authorities have concerns “of high risk disturbance of public order, a significant threat and the inability to guarantee safety at the event if all teams were to participate as planned.”
The city of Ghent announced that it “prohibits the participation of the Israeli delegation” and “the presence of the Israeli delegation” in the Under-17 European Championship Frisbee Tournament. The city also said it forbids “any references related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (such as flags, clothing, inscriptions, pamphlets, etc.) during the tournament due to safety risks, aiming to prevent potential escalation.”
All matches on Tuesday, which was supposed to be the first day of the tournament, were postponed until Wednesday at the Blaarmeersen.
The EUF and EFDF said they were “disappointed to have to make this sad announcement” but, nevertheless, they “must respect and follow the instructions given by the authorities and we must ensure that safety for all our participants, players, volunteers, and spectators is our number one priority.”
“EUF and EFDF recognizes this situation is sad, disappointing, and unfortunate, and we know that all players have come to Ghent to focus on playing Ultimate, to make new friends, and to create memories to last a lifetime,” the federations said. “We ask each and every participant, our Ultimate Community and all supporters to respect this decision and to show good Spirit both on and off the field to continue to promote Youth development within our sport.”
The Israel Flying Disc Association criticized tournament organizers, as well as Ghent authorities, for the decision.
“We are sad because we need to spend this morning explaining to 15-year-old boys and girls why the sport they love so much and is a sport that accepts anyone, from any race and origin, is having a competition where one specific nationality is not allowed to participate, and still the competition continues,” the association said. “Moreover, it is absurd that the Ghent police won’t do anything to make sure the event is secured and safe for everyone but will be there to ensure that no Israeli — 15-year-old girls and boys would be able to even get into the event.”
“The event organizers are even preventing us from arriving at the venue to contest the decision. This is exactly the opposite of Ultimate as a sport that communicates disagreements. This is discrimination,” the statement continued.
A municipal decree by Ghent states that in light of the “current precarious situation in the Middle East, in particular the conflict between Israel and Palestine … there is a high risk of disturbance of public order following the presence of an Israeli delegation at a public event” and also a “significant terrorist threat.”
“The presence and participation of the Israeli delegation in this tournament is a threat to public order and safety of the participants involved. For the sake of the aforementioned security problems, it is therefore absolutely necessary for the organizer to remand the Israeli delegation from the tournament,” the decree further stated, while additionally noting that “people and organizations” oppose Israel’s participation in the tournament because of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Ghent ruled that because of the open nature of the Blaarmeersen and its vastness, “safety cannot be guaranteed” at the park and “the areas can neither be shielded nor secured.”
“In addition, there is no security from the organization on site, nor are security measures currently being provided,” the city decree stated. It also mentioned other concerns that the city has, like the fact that the tournament is open to the public and expected to attract a large number of attendees. The decree additionally lists several anti-Israel protests, demonstrations, and vandalisms that have taken place in Ghent in the past year “resulting in a lot of disturbances and calamities.”
The city said all these reasons “show undeniably that the probability is very real that there will be actions if an Israeli team participates in a European championship, with all the consequences that entails. Taking this into account, it is clear that the public order and safety of the spectators and participants cannot be guaranteed if the tournament were to take place on the Blaarmeersen in the presence of an Israeli delegation.”
A number of Jewish groups condemned the decision to ban the Israeli delegation from the frisbee tournament, including the World Jewish Congress (WJC).
“Prohibiting Israelis from an international frisbee tournament highlights a troubling trend of xenophobia in sports,” WJC said in a statement shared on X/Twitter. “This move by the European Ultimate Federation should be unequivocally rejected. It undermines the principles of fairness and inclusivity and contradicts the core values of sportsmanship. Not allowing Israelis to play because THEY face security threats appeases those who might commit aggression and represents a total failure of to protect the victims of such bigoted threats.”
The Combat Antisemitism Movement said the “horrendous, spineless decision hands a win to the terrorists and their supporters.”
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) called the move “blatant discrimination.” The AJC said: “We are shocked that Israel’s National Ultimate Frisbee team, already victims of anti-Israel vandalism, has now been banned from the European Youth Ultimate Championship in Belgium ‘for their own safety.’ This is blatant discrimination! Jewish athletes should never be excluded due to antisemitism. Host countries must stand up to bigotry, not reward it.”
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Brooklyn Nets Select Israeli Basketball Players Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf in NBA Draft

The opening tip between the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards, at Barclays Center, in Brooklyn, New York, Dec. 13, 2020. Photo: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
In a landmark night for Israeli basketball, Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf were selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn Nets, marking the first time two Israeli players have been drafted in the same year.
Saraf, a 19-year-old guard known for his explosive athleticism and creative playmaking, was taken with the 26th pick. A standout with Maccabi Rishon LeZion and a rising star on Israel’s youth national teams, Saraf gained international attention with his electrifying scoring and commanding court presence.
With the 27th pick, the Nets selected 7-foot center Danny Wolf out of the University of Michigan. Wolf, who holds dual US-Israeli citizenship and represented Israel at the U-20 level, brings a versatile skill set, including sharp passing, perimeter shooting, and a strong feel for the game. After his name was called, Wolf grew emotional in an on-air interview, crediting his family for helping him reach the moment.
“I have the two greatest brothers in the world; I have an unbelievable sister who I love,” Wolf said. “They all helped me get to where I am today, and they’re going to help me get to where I am going to go in this league.”
The historic double-pick adds to the growing wave of Israeli presence on the NBA stage, led by Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, who just completed a breakout 2024–25 season. After being traded to Portland last summer, Avdija thrived as a starter, averaging 16.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. In March alone, he posted 23.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, including two triple-doubles.
“I don’t think I’ve played like this before … I knew I had it in me. But I’m not really thinking about it. I’m just playing. I’m just free,” Avdija told reporters in March
With Saraf and Wolf joining Avdija, Israel’s basketball pipeline has reached unprecedented visibility. Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the moment “a national celebration for sports and youth,” and Israeli sports commentators widely hailed the night as “historic.”
Both Saraf and Wolf are expected to suit up for the Nets’ Summer League team in July. As the two rookies begin their NBA journey, they join a growing generation of Israeli athletes proving that their game belongs on basketball’s biggest stage.
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Iran Denies Any Meeting With US Next Week, Foreign Minister Says

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi attends a press conference following a meeting with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, Russia, April 18, 2025. Photo: Tatyana Makeyeva/Pool via REUTERS
Iran currently has no plan to meet with the United States, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Thursday in an interview on state TV, contradicting US President Donald Trump’s statement that Washington planned to have talks with Iran next week.
The Iranian foreign minister said Tehran was assessing whether talks with the US were in its interest, following five previous rounds of negotiations that were cut short by Israel and the US attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The US and Israel said the strikes were meant to curb Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons, while Iran says its nuclear program is solely geared toward civilian use.
Araqchi said the damages to nuclear sites “were not little” and that relevant authorities were figuring out the new realities of Iran’s nuclear program, which he said would inform Iran’s future diplomatic stance.
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Ireland Becomes First European Nation to Advance Ban on Trade With Israeli Settlements

A pro-Hamas demonstration in Ireland led by nationalist party Sinn Fein. Photo: Reuters/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Ireland has become the first European nation to push forward legislation banning trade with Israeli communities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem — an effort officials say is meant “to address the horrifying situation” in the Gaza Strip.
On Wednesday, Irish Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Simon Harris announced that the legislation has already been approved by the government and will now move to the parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade for pre-legislative scrutiny.
“Ireland is speaking up and speaking out against the genocidal activity in Gaza,” Harris said during a press conference.
The Irish diplomat also told reporters he hopes the “real benefit” of the legislation will be to encourage other countries to follow suit, “because it is important that every country uses every lever at its disposal.”
Today Ireland becomes the first country in Europe to bring forward legislation to ban trade with the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Ireland is speaking up and speaking out against the genocidal activity in Gaza.
Every country must pull every lever at its disposal. pic.twitter.com/Z4RTjqntEY— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 24, 2025
Joining a growing number of EU member states aiming to curb Israel’s defensive campaign against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, Ireland’s decision comes after a 2024 advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) declared Israel’s presence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem illegal.
The ICJ ruled that third countries must avoid trade or investment that supports “the illegal situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”
Once implemented, the law will criminalize the importation of goods from Israeli settlements into Ireland, empowering customs officials to inspect, seize, and confiscate any such shipments.
“The situation in Palestine remains a matter of deep public concern,” Harris said. “I have made it consistently clear that this government will use all levers at its disposal to address the horrifying situation on the ground and to contribute to long-term efforts to achieve a sustainable peace on the basis of the two-state solution.”
“Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory are illegal and threaten the viability of the two-state solution,” the Irish diplomat continued. “This is the longstanding position of the European Union and our international partners. Furthermore, this is the clear position under international law.”
Harris also urged the EU to comply with the ICJ’s ruling by taking a more decisive and “adequate response” regarding imports from Israeli settlements.
“This is an issue that I will continue to press at EU level, and I reiterated my call for concrete proposals from the European Commission at the Foreign Affairs Council this week,” he said.
Last week, Ireland and eight other EU member states — Finland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden — called on the European Commission to draft proposals for how EU countries can halt trade and imports with Israeli settlements, in line with obligations set out by the ICJ.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the latest move by European countries, calling it “shameful” and a misguided attempt to undermine Israel while it faces “existential” threats from Iran and its proxies, including Hamas.
“It is regrettable that even when Israel is fighting an existential threat which is in Europe’s vital interest — there are those who can’t resist their anti-Israeli obsession,” the top Israeli diplomat said in a post on X.
It is regrettable that even when Israel fighting an existential threat which is in Europe vital interest – there are those who can’t resist their anti-Israeli obsession.
Shameful! https://t.co/lxm9qm8sM1— Gideon Sa’ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) June 19, 2025
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