Naomi Shemer's Family Accuses Nono and Jimbo J of Unauthorized Maccabiah Song Use

The family of the late Israeli songwriter Naomi Shemer says the new Maccabiah anthem by Nono and Jimbo J, titled "Sport," was based on Shemer’s work without permission and in violation of the law. The song was released on Monday as the official anthem of the 2026 Maccabiah Games and includes additional verses and several lines in English.

According to the report, the song is a new version of a Shemer piece she wrote for the Maccabiah in 1981. After Nono, whose real name is Naomi Aharoni Gal, discussed the song in an interview on Kan News Radio Reshet Bet, Shemer’s heirs, who control her estate, said they had not known about the remake at all.

The family issued a statement saying, "It is not respectful to use a song without obtaining permission, which is required by law. This is a violation of moral rights, and it is not appropriate that two respected and successful artists used a song by the late Naomi Shemer without permission." As of publication, no response had been given by the production team, Jimbo J, or Nono.