Israel Lacrosse Player Among Hundreds Killed in Hamas Attacks

One of the first Israeli-born lacrosse players to compete for a national team was killed in the Hamas attacks this week.

Mor Cohen, 24, was found dead Tuesday, the Israel Lacrosse Association announced on social media.

Cohen helped start a team in Tel Aviv and played for Israel’s under-19 team in the 2016 world championship. “He was a caring teammate and immensely committed to our lacrosse community,” the ILA said.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Israel Lacrosse Association (@israellacrosse)

Israel’s lacrosse training facility and most of its players reside in southern Israel around the city of Ashkelon, the epicenter of the violence.

“It has been a truly brutal time for our ILA families located in that region,” the ILA said in a separate post. “While we are hoping and praying for the best, we anticipate the situation will remain volatile.”

USA Lacrosse issued a statement Wednesday in support of the ILA and the lacrosse community in Israel, which hosted the 2018 world championship where the U.S. Men’s National Team captured the gold medal.

“Our thoughts are with our friends at Israel Lacrosse during these difficult times. Among the individuals killed was Mor Cohen, one of Israel’s ffirst lacrosse players and a member of its 2016 U19 national team. The loss of innocent lives is heartbreaking, and we pray for peace.”

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— USA Lacrosse (@USA_Lacrosse) October 11, 2023

The Premier Lacrosse League also issued a statement condemning the attacks.

“The Premier Lacrosse League mourns the loss of innocent lives in Israel and across the region and condemns all acts of violence,” the statement said. “We grieve for those killed, injured and missing, and for those whose daily life is now characterized by war. We hope and pray for peace across the region and in every part of the world.”

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— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) October 10, 2023

The Israel Lacrosse Association was founded in 2010 and has been a World Lacrosse member since 2011. It started fielding teams for international competition in 2015. Hundreds of Jewish American lacrosse players have traveled to Israel to contribute to the sport’s growth and development, including 21 who remained there to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, according to the ILA.