Israeli Security Forces Veterans with PTSD Visit National Basketball Team Training

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

The project is a collaboration between the Basketball Association, the Jewish Impact Center, and the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, which supports these heroes throughout their rehabilitation. The wounded veterans watched the national team practice and then met the players in an emotional encounter, with players expressing gratitude for the veterans' service. National 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 meeting as deeply moving and honored to contribute to helping those who sacrificed for the country. Yossi Matityahu, CEO of the IDF Disabled Veterans Organization, highlighted the project's role in rehabilitation through sport, encouraging more veterans with PTSD to join. Sonia Gomes de Mascita, CEO of the Jewish Impact Center, noted that basketball provides a sense of belonging and confidence for participants. Raviv Limond shared that the project has expanded due to the growing number of wounded veterans, with new teams opening soon, including one near the Gaza border.

The basketball teams currently operate in Ashdod, Netanya, Upper Galilee, and Samaria, with plans to open additional groups. This initiative reflects a broader effort to use sports as a therapeutic tool to aid wounded veterans' reintegration into Israeli society.