{"id":8116,"date":"2024-12-23T17:13:30","date_gmt":"2024-12-23T15:13:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/for-the-first-time-an-israeli-rugby-team-competes-in-a-competitive-tournament-in-dubai\/"},"modified":"2024-12-30T12:42:30","modified_gmt":"2024-12-30T10:42:30","slug":"for-the-first-time-an-israeli-rugby-team-competes-in-a-competitive-tournament-in-dubai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/en\/for-the-first-time-an-israeli-rugby-team-competes-in-a-competitive-tournament-in-dubai\/","title":{"rendered":"First-Ever Israeli Men&#8217;s Rugby Team Competes in Dubai Tournament"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>The Israeli Rugby Union views this participation by the men&#8217;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 Just last year, the team\u2019s invitation to a South African tournament was revoked due to BDS pressures. \u201cFor us, stepping onto the field and playing was a victory,\u201d said Rugby Union CEO Bonnie Manor-Gottfried.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0760-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8077\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0760-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0760-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0760-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0760-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0760-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0760-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<p>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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n<p>\u201cFor us, stepping onto the field and playing was a victory,\u201d said Rugby Union CEO Bonnie Manor-Gottfried emphatically. \u201cThe 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 &#8216;Israel&#8217; emblazoned on their uniforms, carrying a strong sense of national representation during such a challenging time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-id=\"8097\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0746-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8097\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0746-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0746-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0746-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0746-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0746-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0746-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0746-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" data-id=\"8087\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0982-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8087\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0982-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0982-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0982-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0982-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0982-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0982-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0982-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1708\" data-id=\"8079\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0833-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0833-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0833-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0833-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0833-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0833-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0833-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0833-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-id=\"8093\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0732-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0732-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0732-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0732-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0732-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0732-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0732-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0732-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p>Manor-Gottfried shared that while there were initial concerns, everything changed once they arrived in Dubai. \u201cThey 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<p>Tel Aviv Heat was established only four years ago and is Israel\u2019s 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\u2019s standing on the international rugby stage.<\/p>\n\n<p>\u201cParticipating 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,\u201d explained head coach Kevin Musikanth. \u201cIt 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\u2019s top stars, led by Olympic champion Semi Kunatani, showcased the potential of this team for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1768\" data-id=\"8101\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/JL9616-3-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8101\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/JL9616-3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/JL9616-3-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/JL9616-3-1024x707.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/JL9616-3-768x530.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/JL9616-3-1536x1061.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/JL9616-3-2048x1414.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/JL9616-3-600x414.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Tel Aviv Heat . Day 3 of Dubai 7s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" data-id=\"8085\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0943-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0943-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0943-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0943-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0943-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0943-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0943-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0943-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-id=\"8081\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0872-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0872-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0872-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0872-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0872-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0872-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0872-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0872-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-id=\"8091\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-1012-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8091\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-1012-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-1012-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-1012-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-1012-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-1012-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-1012-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-1012-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" data-id=\"8095\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0737-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8095\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0737-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0737-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0737-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0737-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0737-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0737-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0737-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p>Gal Aviram, the captain of the sevens squad at the tournament, shared, \u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n\n<p>Tel Aviv Heat is much more than a team that simply aims for victories. It\u2019s 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,\u201d Avram explained.&#13;\nHe added, \u201cToday, 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.<\/p>\n\n<p>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\u2019m needed,\u201d he said with a smile.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"8108\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0813-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0813-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0813-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0813-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0813-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0813-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0813-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"8110\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0814-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0814-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0814-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0814-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0814-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0814-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0814-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"8112\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0815-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0815-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0815-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0815-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0815-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0815-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0815-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"8106\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0817-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8106\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0817-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0817-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0817-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0817-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0817-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-0817-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Israeli Rugby Union views this participation by the men&#8217;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\u2019s invitation to a South African tournament was revoked due to BDS pressures. \u201cFor us, stepping onto the field and playing was a victory,\u201d said Rugby Union CEO Bonnie Manor-Gottfried.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":8071,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,87,27],"tags":[120,114,118,119],"class_list":["post-8116","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gallery","category-world-rugby","category----en","tag-israeli-rugby","tag-tel-aviv-heat","tag-118","tag----2"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>First-Ever Israeli Men&#039;s Rugby Team Competes in Dubai Tournament - Israel Rugby Union<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Israeli Rugby Union views this participation by the men&#039;s rugby team as both a significant achievement and a powerful response to anti-Israel organizations seeking to promote boycotts.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/en\/for-the-first-time-an-israeli-rugby-team-competes-in-a-competitive-tournament-in-dubai\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"First-Ever Israeli Men&#039;s Rugby Team Competes in Dubai Tournament - Israel Rugby Union\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Israel Rugby Union First-Ever Israeli Men&#039;s Rugby Team Competes in Dubai Tournament -\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/en\/for-the-first-time-an-israeli-rugby-team-competes-in-a-competitive-tournament-in-dubai\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Israel Rugby Union\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/RugbyIsrael\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-12-23T15:13:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-12-30T10:42:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-2762-2-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Dana Beutler\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@rugbyisrael\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@rugbyisrael\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Dana Beutler\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/en\/for-the-first-time-an-israeli-rugby-team-competes-in-a-competitive-tournament-in-dubai\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/en\/for-the-first-time-an-israeli-rugby-team-competes-in-a-competitive-tournament-in-dubai\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Dana Beutler\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/#\/schema\/person\/5b98f0722ef0f79fea0bda2353cd4136\"},\"headline\":\"First-Ever Israeli Men&#8217;s Rugby Team Competes in Dubai Tournament\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-12-23T15:13:30+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-12-30T10:42:30+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/en\/for-the-first-time-an-israeli-rugby-team-competes-in-a-competitive-tournament-in-dubai\/\"},\"wordCount\":689,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/en\/for-the-first-time-an-israeli-rugby-team-competes-in-a-competitive-tournament-in-dubai\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/FS-2762-2-scaled.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Israeli Rugby\",\"TEL AVIV HEAT\",\"\u05d3\u05d5\u05d1\u05d0\u05d9\",\"\u05ea\u05dc \u05d0\u05d1\u05d9\u05d1 \u05d4\u05d9\u05d8\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Gallery\",\"World Rugby\",\"\u05de\u05d5\u05e4\u05d9\u05e2\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05e2\u05de\u05d5\u05d3 \u05d4\u05d1\u05d9\u05ea\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/en\/for-the-first-time-an-israeli-rugby-team-competes-in-a-competitive-tournament-in-dubai\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/en\/for-the-first-time-an-israeli-rugby-team-competes-in-a-competitive-tournament-in-dubai\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.rugby.org.il\/en\/for-the-first-time-an-israeli-rugby-team-competes-in-a-competitive-tournament-in-dubai\/\",\"name\":\"First-Ever Israeli Men's Rugby Team Competes in Dubai Tournament - 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