Maccabi GB pulls junior team from Maccabiah Games over Israel travel warning

Maccabi GB has withdrawn its junior delegation from this summer’s Maccabiah Games after the UK government’s travel advice for Israel remained at its highest warning level.

The Anglo-Jewish sports charity confirmed on Thursday that hundreds of young athletes will no longer travel to Israel for the Games, saying it could only proceed if Foreign Office guidance moved to green status.

The decision follows months of uncertainty surrounding the competition, which was postponed from 2025 after last year’s Iran Twelve-Day War.

Maccabi GB said families, athletes and team managers had been kept updated throughout the process and were previously told that 21 May would be the final deadline for a decision on junior participation if travel advice did not change.

The organisation said the timeline reflected the safeguarding and operational demands involved in taking children to Israel, while also allowing families time to make alternative summer arrangements.

A separate decision on whether adult Open and Masters teams will attend is expected by 15 June, although Maccabi GB indicated it expects many adult athletes and teams to also withdraw because of continuing security concerns, travel restrictions and financial commitments.

Other international delegations are also reconsidering participation. Maccabi Canada and Maccabi South Africa have already withdrawn their junior teams.

Jonathan Prevezer, chair of Maccabi GB, said: “This is an incredibly sad moment for everyone connected with Team Maccabi GB. Our Junior athletes, their families, coaches, managers and volunteers have given so much to this journey over the past three years, and we know how deeply disappointing this news will be.

“While our participation in the Junior Games themselves will now not take place, we want to make it clear that those efforts were not wasted. The friendships built, the experiences shared, the confidence gained, the lessons learned, and the pride of being selected to represent Maccabi GB remain incredibly special. Every athlete selected should be immensely proud of what they have achieved.”

He also paid tribute to volunteers, coaches and organisers who had spent years preparing for the Games.

Ashley Lerner said the decision had been taken with the safety of participants in mind.

“The Maccabiah is one of the most important experiences in Jewish sport, and we fully recognise how painful this decision is for our athletes, families and wider community,” he said.

“However, Maccabi GB has been clear throughout that we can only attend if it is safe, responsible and in line with UK Government travel advice. The safety, security and well-being of our delegation must always come first.”

The Maccabiah Games are still expected to go ahead this summer unless cancelled by the Israeli government, organisers have said.