Israeli clubs, Bnei Ofek Dist Herzliya, Ironi Ness Ziona, and Hapoel Galil Elion, have decided to withdraw from the FIBA Europe Cup.
These mentioned clubs, due to the situation in Israel, are unable to play home games, and the only solution for them to continue participating in the competition was a (temporary) relocation to Cyprus.
FIBA set conditions for the teams, requiring them to play three games between November 6th and 17th, which the aforementioned teams were unwilling to accept. A particular problem was the demand that clubs must arrive on Cyprus only one day before the game and would also be forced to leave 24 hours after the game’s conclusion.
The joint statement from the mentioned teams reads as follows:
“In recent weeks, we have made many efforts – financial and professional – so that we can continue to participate in the FIBA Europe Cup tournament this year as well.
These steps stemmed from an understanding of the importance of the Israeli teams continuing to compete and represent Israel and the meaning it could have in the future for the Israeli teams if we withdraw unilaterally.
Officials, Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made their best efforts. Unfortunately, we encountered a lack of cooperation and desire on the part of FIBA to help or find a solution that would allow us to continue to compete in the tournament.
As clubs with a respectable past in FIBA and Eurocup in particular, we expected, in light of this [the war], to receive a much more understanding and inclusive attitude. In times like these, basketball and sports should be a bridge of peace connecting people and cultures, and we are disappointed that we were denied the right to cross that bridge.
We apologize to our fans – to whom we hoped to give some comfort and escape from the difficult reality that was imposed on all of us in the last month – we made every effort for you as well. We are strengthening the home front and our soldiers, and hope to return and represent our fans and Israel soon.”