Sports provide benefits on world stage

The decision to name Israel a co-host of the 2017 EuroBasket tournament is a huge achievement for Israeli basketball. In the past we have hosted the Final Four of the Euroleague, during which I spent time with former NBA commissioner David Stern and his team, who congratulated us on the success of bringing the event to Israel. In a couple of years Europe's best teams will arrive for EuroBasket, among the most prestigious tournaments in the world.

Amid the backdrop of boycott threats against Israel from around the world, this is an extraordinary achievement for all those involved in making it happen and for Israeli basketball. Basketball has defeated politics and is bringing EuroBasket to Israel. This is the place to congratulate the various municipalities and the state lottery (Mifal Hapayis), along with others who contributed to building worthy sporting venues not only in Tel Aviv but in Jerusalem and Haifa, and other smaller venues across the country.

We have a good basketball league and top-of-the-line facilities, and we have a good number of world-class players, like the NBA's Omri Casspi; and Gal Mekel, who also played in the best league on the planet. Co-hosting this tournament is not only a source of pride and honor for us, but for all European Jews, especially under the current circumstances and problems with anti-Semitism. Meanwhile, the fact that such a prestigious tournament is coming to Israel should give pause to all those involved in the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement and the various other anti-Israel organizations.

The Israeli national team also plays at a high level and also contributed to bringing EuroBasket to Israel. The team now has time to build its roster, based on the current crop of players, to represent the country well and put on a good tournament -- even better than the last.

Generally speaking, we must continue to support athletics, which can bring a lot of pride to the country and tear down a great number of walls. In sports, when the level is high enough, Israel cannot be boycotted. We must reach the point where the national team, the league clubs and the stadiums are good enough to make holding an international tournament without Israeli participation impossible.

When looking back at the entire journey of Israeli basketball, from the 1970s until today; at all of Maccabi Tel Aviv's European titles and at all the respectable showings put forth by Hapoel Jerusalem and other teams, we can say that basketball has done this country a lot of good. Now we have now been rewarded again with truly an international accomplishment. Our basketball is doing its part, and for me being a part of it is the best feeling imaginable.