Israeli Basketball Team Hosts IDF Veterans Battling PTSD Ahead of Italy Match

The Israeli national basketball team hosted wounded IDF and security personnel suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during a training session ahead of their upcoming European Championship qualifier against Italy. The event took place on August 17, 2026, as part of a social initiative led by the Israeli Basketball Association's Friendship Fund. This project, initiated by former national player Raviv Limond, established basketball teams across Israel for veterans coping with PTSD, providing weekly training and comprehensive support.

The program is a collaboration between the Basketball Association, the Jewish Impact Center, and the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, which supports these heroes through rehabilitation centers in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beersheba, Haifa, and Ashdod. The project aims to use basketball as a therapeutic tool to aid recovery and social reintegration. During the visit, the veterans watched the national team practice and engaged in an emotional meeting with the players, who expressed gratitude for their service.

Israeli team coach Ariel Beit Halachmi emphasized the importance of supporting soldiers affected by trauma, especially given the recent increase in PTSD cases since October 7. Player Itay Segev described the encounter as deeply moving and honored to contribute to helping those who sacrificed for the country. Yossi Matityahu, CEO of the Disabled Veterans Organization, highlighted the project's role in enabling rehabilitation through sport, encouraging more veterans to participate. Sonia Gomes de Mascita, CEO of the Jewish Impact Center, noted that basketball restores veterans' sense of belonging, confidence, and trust.

Raviv Limond reflected on the growing need for such initiatives due to the expanding circle of wounded veterans and the opening of new teams, including one soon to launch in the Gaza envelope area. The Friendship Fund continues to promote community and social projects through basketball, aiming to provide meaningful support to those who served Israel.

Summary: Ahead of their European qualifier against Italy, the Israeli basketball team hosted IDF veterans with PTSD, supporting their rehabilitation through a collaborative basketball project involving the Israeli Basketball Association and veteran organizations.

Points: - Israeli basketball team hosted wounded IDF veterans with PTSD before their Italy match. - The project offers weekly basketball training and support for veterans nationwide. - Collaboration involves the Basketball Association, Jewish Impact Center, and Disabled Veterans Organization. - Coach Ariel Beit Halachmi stressed basketball’s healing role amid rising PTSD cases. - Veterans and players shared an emotional meeting expressing mutual respect and gratitude. - New teams are expanding, including one soon in the Gaza envelope region.

Topic: sports israel_relevant: true Entities: {"people":["Raviv Limond","Ariel Beit Halachmi","Itay Segev","Yossi Matityahu","Sonia Gomes de Mascita"],"organizations":["Israeli Basketball Association","Jewish Impact Center","IDF Disabled Veterans Organization"],"places":["Israel","Tel Aviv","Jerusalem","Beersheba","Haifa","Ashdod","Gaza envelope"]}