Australia withdraws from 2026 Maccabiah Games
Lipp: "It was a really disappointing decision for us to have to make, but I think it is the right decision".
Maccabi Australia made the tough decision earlier this week not to send a team or delegation to next month’s 2026 Maccabiah Games in Israel.
After informing team members and officials, Barry Lipp – Maccabi Australia vice president, masters athlete, and Australia’s Head of Delegation to the Games – told The AJN on Tuesday “it was a really disappointing decision for us to have to make, but I think it is the right decision”.
He emphasised that the safety and security of the Australian team “is the highest priority”.
“Ultimately, given that the status of the [Australian] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s overall advice level for Israel is still ‘do not travel’, and that is not likely to change before the Maccabiah Games, it highlights the risk involved in sending our team.
“We went through a really exhaustive process of analysis prior to making a final decision.”
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