In about a month, the 22nd Maccabiah will open in Jerusalem, and preparations are in full swing. The Maccabiah Games, known as the Jewish Olympics, unite athletes worldwide in a prestigious international competition held in Israel.
Will Trump Come?
Amid growing rumors, Maccabiah CEO Roi Hessing clarified during a Subcommittee on Sports discussion that the possibility of U.S. President Donald Trump attending is not just speculation.
“Will Trump attend? It’s on his desk,” Hessing said, adding that the Maccabiah is preparing to properly host Trump if he does decide to come.
It’s important to note that the previous Maccabiah hosted U.S. President Joe Biden and a large American delegation.
Preparing for the Sports Event
The 22nd Maccabiah expects to host approximately 8,000 athletes across 44 different sports disciplines. Despite a drop in participants compared to the previous games, Hessing said they expect each athlete to be accompanied by two people, including many international athletes. One concern involves flight cancellations from certain countries, but Hessing assured that every effort will be made to ensure athletes can attend.
We Are Here to Stay
“Maccabiah 2025 will be the most significant in history,” said CEO Hessing. “The Maccabiah is a chance to show Israelis, the Jewish diaspora, and our global neighbors that we’re here to stay. This project, which began in 1932, was meant to strengthen the bond between diaspora Jewry and Israel. It’s a national and vital event.”
Government Support
The Maccabiah’s budget stands at approximately 200 million shekels, with expected government funding of about 48 million. So far, 20 million shekels have been received, and the rest is expected to arrive in time.
Double Importance
Chair of the Committee MK Simon Davidson promised to act swiftly in the Finance Committee to secure the necessary funds and ensure the event is executed successfully. He also emphasized the importance of holding the Maccabiah in light of rising antisemitic attacks worldwide.
Davidson called on diaspora Jews to come and represent the Jewish people at the Maccabiah and shared a personal note — his grandfather came to the second Maccabiah as captain of Lithuania’s national soccer team.
