Diplomatic efforts are underway to secure what would be a landmark appearance by President Donald Trump at the Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem this July, Israel Hayom has learned.
Senior officials have approached Trump's inner circle about attending the opening ceremony of the international Jewish sporting event, which would build upon then-President Joe Biden's surprise appearance in 2022 and potentially elevate the "Jewish Olympics" to unprecedented global prominence.
The initiative remains in the preliminary feasibility assessment stage, with no formal invitation yet extended to the White House. Nevertheless, senior Maccabiah organizers report that Trump's close associates have expressed initial interest after being briefed on the event's significance and international profile.
"We would be very happy to see the president come to Jerusalem," Maccabiah officials said, while acknowledging Trump's unpredictable nature might lead to a spontaneous last-minute decision regarding his attendance.
Jared Kushner will also be invited
While the formal invitation would need to come from official Israeli channels like the Prime Minister's Office or Ministry of Foreign Affairs, direct contact has already been made to Jared Kushner – Trump's son-in-law and husband of his eldest daughter Ivanka. Organizers hope Kushner can help secure Trump's attendance at the July 8 opening ceremony at Jerusalem's Teddy Stadium, which will host tens of thousands of spectators and representatives from over 80 countries. Israeli President Isaac Herzog is also scheduled to attend, alongside other high-ranking officials.
Kushner, who served as a senior advisor during Trump's first term, was instrumental in the administration's Middle East policy and played a key role in negotiating the Abraham Accords between Israel and several Arab nations.
The strategic initiative reflects Israel's broader ambition to elevate the Maccabiah Games – widely known as the "Jewish Olympics" – to greater international prominence and visibility.
The previous Maccabiah in summer 2022 featured a surprise appearance by then-President Joe Biden, who attended a special ceremony at Teddy Stadium where he met with athletes and expressed strong support for the sporting event and its cultural significance. Current efforts appear aimed at recreating – and potentially amplifying – that historic presidential engagement.
A presidential visit would entail extensive security and logistical preparations, requiring coordination between the US Secret Service, Israel's Shin Bet, the national police force, and numerous agencies responsible for VIP security.
The 22nd Maccabiah Games will take place across multiple Israeli cities including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa, bringing together more than 10,000 Jewish athletes from around the world and hundreds of thousands of spectators. Should Trump accept the invitation, organizers believe it could become one of the most significant Maccabiah Games in the event's storied history.
