Pro-Palestinian Protesters Greet Israeli Youth Team at European Championship in Italy

The Israeli under-19 national basketball team began its European Championship campaign on Saturday in Trento, Italy, facing Greece in their opening match. The team aims to replicate its success from two years ago, when it reached the semifinals and finished fourth. The top five teams in the tournament will qualify for the Under-19 World Cup next year. Upon arrival at the small arena in Trento, the Israeli team, along with delegation members and players' parents, were met by several dozen local pro-Palestinian protesters who chanted slogans against Israel and in support of Palestine. The Israeli team, coached by Nadav Zilberstein, was drawn into Group A, where they will also play France on Sunday and Austria on Monday. The knockout stage will see Group A teams face those from Group B, which includes Turkey, Serbia, Denmark, and Slovakia.