New Jerusalem Basketball Team Honors Six Hostages Killed in Gaza Captivity
A new basketball team, Hapoel HaShisha Jerusalem, has been established to honor six hostages murdered in Gaza, blending sports remembrance with community legacy.
A new basketball team named "Hapoel HaShisha Jerusalem" has been established to honor the memory of six hostages who survived nearly 11 months in Hamas captivity before being murdered in a tunnel in Rafah in late August 2024. The initiative was launched by 21-year-olds Nadav Hess and Amitai Weltman. The team takes its place in Liga Alef, the fourth tier of Israeli basketball, and will play its home games at the Mount Scopus arena.
The six honored individuals are Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Ori Danino, Alex Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Carmel Gat. Five of them were abducted from the Nova music festival, while Gat was taken from her home in Kibbutz Be'eri. Their diverse backgrounds reflect the fabric of Israeli society, uniting families from various communities in grief and remembrance.
Families of the victims expressed deep emotion and gratitude for the sports-based initiative. Einav Danino, mother of Ori Danino, noted that having a year-round project running on the basketball court is a unique and comforting tribute. John Polin, father of Hersh, emphasized that sports were an integral part of his son's connection to Israeli life and community.
Club management and community organizers aim to build a competitive squad with aspirations of promotion, backed by crowdfunding and sponsors. The team's electronic scoreboard at the Mount Scopus arena will display the names of the six hostages alongside other victims of the Iron Swords war during every home match, ensuring lasting remembrance.
