2026 Maccabiah Games open in Jerusalem, honoring wounded veterans, former hostages

The 2026 Maccabiah Games, also known as "the Jewish Olympics," opened Wednesday in Jerusalem with a ceremony honoring wounded veterans and former hostage Edan Alexander, as thousands of Jewish athletes from around the world gathered for the first Games since the Oct. 7 attack and the ensuing war.

Held under the motto "More than Ever," the Games will bring together 8,000 Jewish athletes from 45 countries to compete in 45 sports over the next two weeks. Israel's top athletes are also participating in the competition.

The Maccabiah Games, often compared to the Olympics, are held every four years. The event was originally scheduled for 2025 but was postponed because of Operation Rising Lion, Israel's first direct war with Iran.

The opening ceremony featured hundreds of athletes from delegations around the world, along with performances by some of Israel's most popular artists, including Idan Raichel, Eden Golan, Itay Levi, Netta Barzilai and Yuval Raphael.

The honor of lighting the Maccabiah torch was given to judoka Inbar Lanir and Paralympic taekwondo athlete Asaf Yasur, who won silver and gold medals, respectively, at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

They were joined by Evyatar Zeituni, who was seriously wounded while fighting in southern Israel on Oct. 7 and is now part of a Paralympic cycling team made up of veterans wounded during the Iron Swords war.

Former hostage Edan Alexander, who was released in May 2025, also appeared on stage, where he spoke about his experience in captivity and his commitment to Israel.

“There is no greater privilege in life than defending my home. On October 7, I fought and was kidnapped,” he said.

“There I experienced hunger, thirst, fear and longing for the life I had. But in the hardest moments, in the deepest silence, I heard you. A family that did not give up, people who did not know me but fought as if I were their child. Shortly after I returned home, I knew I would return to service. Because this is our country and this is our people," he continued.

"The people I am so proud to be part of. The people who remember all the fallen heroes and continue fighting to carry on their legacy. This is the people who brought me home, and I will dedicate my life to giving back," Alexander concluded.

Maccabiah chairman Assaf Goren said the event represents both resilience and renewal for Israel and the global Jewish community.

“The Maccabiah is today a symbol of hope, recovery, and our determination as a people after the most difficult period we have experienced in this generation,” he said. “Fortunately, we have overcome the challenges, and we look forward to welcoming thousands of guests from around the world who will come to compete, strengthen ties, and empower Israel, now more than ever.”

Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar said the Games continue to strengthen the bond between Israel and Jewish communities around the world.

“The Maccabiah is a bridge between Israel and the Jews of the Diaspora, and in these times, given all the challenges we face, it is more important than ever,” Zohar said. “The State of Israel is strong, sport guides us all, the Jewish people are alive and strong. I congratulate the Maccabiah organizers and all the collaborators who made this great event possible.”