Impact Report - 2025 DRAFT-2 - Flipbook - Page 27
YAHEL AMZALEG: COURAGE ON AND
OFF THE COURT
When Yahel Amzaleg joined PeacePlayers
Middle East five years ago, she was just
looking for a place to play basketball. “I
came and immediately felt at home.” Today,
the 16-year-old from Jerusalem has grown
into a leader shaped by courage and
conviction.
As part of a mixed Arab-Jewish team
competing in the Israeli league, Yahel and
her teammates have faced bitter harassment
at games. “We faced situations—other
teams provoking or speaking disrespectfully
to one of our teammates,” she says. Her
response was instinctive. “I felt obligated to
defend her… because we’re one team. It
was hard, but I didn’t think twice about
standing with them.”
That conviction followed her into the
classroom. Nervous but determined, Yahel
chose to present about PeacePlayers. “I
knew not everyone would accept or
understand,” she admits, “but I knew it was
important… because it’s part of who I am.”
VOICES FROM THE COURT
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