FIBA Rules Against Resuming Basketball Games in Israel

Basketball's international governing body, FIBA, has denied a request to resume national team games in Israel. The decision came after the President of FIBA Europe, Juan García García, responded negatively to an appeal from the Chairman of the Israeli Basketball Association, Amon Freesman.

Freesman had formally requested that FIBA reconsider allowing the Israeli national team to play its home games in the country during the current World Cup qualifiers. The request was reportedly given serious consideration.

However, FIBA's management committee ultimately decided to maintain the status quo, citing an assessment of the current situation in the entire region and advice from FIBA's security consultant. This ruling means that no home games will be played in Israel for the remaining two windows of the World Cup qualifiers.

The refusal dashes the hopes of the Israeli Basketball Association, which had been looking to end the period of "exile" for Israeli national teams playing their home games abroad. The national team has not played a home game in over three years, with its last home match occurring in February 2023.