The Israeli Rugby Union views this participation by the men’s rugby team as both a significant achievement and a powerful response to anti-Israel organizations seeking to promote boycotts. Just last year, the team’s invitation to a South African tournament was revoked due to BDS pressures. “For us, stepping onto the field and playing was a victory,” said Rugby Union CEO Bonnie Manor-Gottfried.
The normalization of relations between Israel and Dubai has led to numerous collaborations across various sectors, including sports. This time, it was Tel Aviv Heat, Israel’s professional rugby team, that participated in a tournament in the Muslim nation. This marks the first time an Israeli rugby team has competed in a competitive tournament in Dubai, further warming relations and fostering collaborations in the sports world.
The Rugby Union fully understands the significance of this event, especially considering that only a year ago, the team was set to participate in an international tournament in South Africa. However, just days before departure, a cancellation was issued due to pressures from the anti-Israel BDS movement, which seeks to boycott Israel on the international stage.
“For us, stepping onto the field and playing was a victory,” said Rugby Union CEO Bonnie Manor-Gottfried emphatically. “The mere participation of an Israeli team, just a week after the tragic murder of Chabad emissary Tzvi Kogan in Dubai, was far from guaranteed. The team stepped onto the field with ‘Israel’ emblazoned on their uniforms, carrying a strong sense of national representation during such a challenging time.”
Manor-Gottfried shared that while there were initial concerns, everything changed once they arrived in Dubai. “They were incredibly organized, accompanied us throughout, strengthened security, and made us feel safe and protected. Communication during the event with all security entities was excellent. We also bolstered security with private measures, and everything went smoothly.”
Tel Aviv Heat was established only four years ago and is Israel’s sole professional rugby team. Despite its young age, the team has achieved significant success in the European league. The invitation to the Dubai tournament cements the team’s standing on the international rugby stage.
“Participating in the tournament, gaining experience, and competing at that level is exactly what the Israeli national team needs as part of our ambitious project to climb the global rankings,” explained head coach Kevin Musikanth. “It was an incredible experience. Players like Yahel Rozilio, Gal Aviram, Moran Nijem, Omer Levinson, Yishai Avrahami, and Guy Goldin performed exceptionally well. Head coach of Hadarim Rugby Club, Thomas Berman, and Omer Levinson were among the most consistent players. Some of the team’s top stars, led by Olympic champion Semi Kunatani, showcased the potential of this team for the future.”
Gal Aviram, the captain of the sevens squad at the tournament, shared, “The atmosphere was electrifying. There was a massive crowd, world-class rugby, and top-tier players. This is one of the biggest rugby events in the world. Being an active participant there is an incredible honor.
Tel Aviv Heat is much more than a team that simply aims for victories. It’s a tool for development, a means to shatter glass ceilings on both a personal and national level. Especially during wartime, it serves as a platform to represent Israel and showcase the positive side of the country in Europe,” Avram explained. He added, “Today, Heat is essentially the extended arm of the Israeli national team. It integrates national team players and international reinforcements, enabling us to compete in high-level tournaments. It also sets a high standard for experienced players while giving younger players a benchmark to aspire to.
Every tournament is an opportunity to play at these levels, pushing us one step closer to our collective dream of reaching the World Cup and the Olympic Games. I believe that in the coming years, the trend will be to take a more significant role off the field and allow the next generation to take center stage on it. Until then, I try to be wherever I’m needed,” he said with a smile.
