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Israel's Olympic Team Faces Passport Woes Ahead of 2026

12/31/2025

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Summary

Story summary

With five weeks until the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Israel's delegation faces passport-regulation challenges.
Athletes not residing primarily in Israel receive a travel document instead of a passport, hindering competition.
Because the interior minister is absent, only four athletes have qualified.
The bobsleigh team must be composed solely of Israeli citizens, despite earlier success with non-citizen athletes.

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Story summary

With five weeks until the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Israel's delegation faces passport-regulation challenges.
Athletes not residing primarily in Israel receive a travel document instead of a passport, hindering competition.
Because the interior minister is absent, only four athletes have qualified.
The bobsleigh team must be composed solely of Israeli citizens, despite earlier success with non-citizen athletes.