NBA: Israeli team scheduled to tour against NBA teams; believes that games would provide the war-torn nation of

Yehu Orland was wearing a shirt in memory of a close friend who died two days ago while protecting Israel, and he anticipated crying when his nation’s song played before a game in Brooklyn on Thursday.

However, the Maccabi Ra’anana coach thinks that continuing his team’s trip against NBA teams when his nation is at war was the proper move.

Israel will not be defeated because we are a great country, stated Orland before to the game. “We are the first team that is playing since the war started.”

The first of three games the Israeli National League squad would play while on tour. Police officers were stationed outside the Barclays Center, and barriers had been erected in the square in front of the entrance.

While Israeli singer and actress Noa Kirel sang the national song, some of her supporters held up the Israeli flag and others carried posters that said, “New York stands with Israel.” Prior to that, the Nets requested a minute of quiet for those affected, stating that the team deplored the assaults and lamented the casualties.

Ra’anana landed in the United States on Wednesday, only days after Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on Saturday and murdered more than 1,300 people, including 247 soldiers. Authorities on both sides estimate that more than 1,530 Palestinians have died in Gaza as a result of the subsequent Israeli airstrikes.

Eli Ginsberg, a close friend of Orland’s who just completed 23 years of military service, was one among the fatalities. Together, their families were organizing a trip, according to Orland, until Ginsberg sprung to help Israeli security forces.

The funeral happened earlier on Thursday, according to Orland, who was wearing a shirt that stated, “R.I.P. Eli.” Always in my Heart.

Orland remarked, “I think you keep asking yourself why it occurred when you lose a buddy. “I suppose the response I gave to myself was: That’s what he decided to do. He decided to defend Israel by choosing to serve as a soldier. He made this decision for so long.

Israel is represented on the roster by six players. One player had decided to return home, according to Orland and team sponsor Jeffrey Rosen, but they did not provide a reason. In their second straight trip to the United States for exhibition games, Ra’anana will face the Cleveland Cavaliers and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Orland said, “I think depression and sadness, that’s the feeling in Israel right now,” and hoped his squad might provide some joy to folks back home.

“So I’m sitting here, trying not to cry, because my heart is broken,” he said, “but we have to create for those young people, children, hope that Israel is strong, and that is the reason I think everybody is here.”