It was said about some of them that they are here only for basketball and that the day after or in times of need they will not stay here for a minute, but the citizens of the Premier League prove otherwise.
In fact, only two of the 15 who were supposed to play in the league this season, did not return to Israel after the start of the war.
The rest is here.
They stood up without hesitation, and show great commitment and identification with the State of Israel in its time of need, a kind of crushing answer to the criticism that has been leveled at them more than once over the years.
All this introduction is because the time has come - especially after that criticism, sometimes virulent - to respect the citizens.
This is the first article in the "They are ours" series, and there is no better way than to start it with the veteran of the group: Willie Workman.
Workman, now 33 years old, landed here sometime in 2013 and joined Hapoel Galil Alyon.
He hasn't actually left since.
Last summer he signed with Bnei Herzliya and started his 11th season in Israel - and he has been here throughout his professional career, during which he also spent time with Hapoel Jerusalem and Hapoel Tel Aviv, among others.
In a special interview with Israel Hayom, Workman first shares his daily feelings in the shadow of the war: "They ask me, 'How are you?'
And I answer, 'Everything is fine' - because that's what needs to be said. But the truth is different - I'm in pain all the time, my heart is broken. These are not easy days, which go on and on. A few days ago there was an attack in Ra'anana, where we live. It was not far from the garden of my son. It's stressful and scary."
how are you coping
"It's good that I have basketball, when you get into it you kind of forget about everything around you. I come and do my job and it helps me. However, there's not much to do - these are difficult days."
Willie Workman.
"It's good that I have the basketball", photo: Maor Alxalsi
Bring me back to your feelings on October 7th.
"We came back just the day before from Hungary, we played there in the Eurocup qualifiers. I went to sleep and woke up from the alarms. It wasn't the first time I experienced alarms and went to the emergency room, so I didn't attach too much importance to it.
I thought it was like the previous times and went back to sleep."
Workman continues to unfold the story: "Only later, when I woke up, did I realize what had happened and how big and painful it was. I was shocked. As time goes by, you begin to understand what happened and the numbers keep growing. Only now do I really understand how bad it was. You suddenly realize that these are days you will remember for the rest of your life."
And what happened next?
"In the first days we stayed here. Later - when it was not clear when the league would return - we went to the USA.
I was there for two weeks, then I left my wife and son there and returned to Israel.
I was alone for a certain period of time and later they came back.
My family in the US didn't want to stress me out, but it's completely natural for them to worry and it's completely natural for them to want me to come home. It's not easy to explain to them that where we are is not what they see on TV, which for me is pretty normal every day here."
The sons of Herzliya.
"We just came back from Hungary", photo: Alan Shiver
Speaking of the USA, Israel receives a lot of criticism there, and anti-Semitism is also on the rise.
"These are people who were not brought up in the right way. They see news and take it as it is without trying to understand deeply. It is difficult for them to see the truth. People approach this situation with an agenda, everything is political."
This is already your 11th year in Israel, do you feel connected to the country?
"I feel committed to the country since I arrived here. From the first moment I was received wonderfully and I felt connected, I felt like it was home. Israel accepted me and I am part of the country. The national anthem always moves me. I feel that since October 7 when it is played before games it is even more moving. It is different, It's very emotional. In general, I can say that the heart is broken. Especially now, things take on more meaning as a husband and the pain of a little son. When I see my son and think what happened to the children there, it's a hard feeling."
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Willie Workman.
"When I look at my child and think what happened to the children there, it's hard", photo: Maor Alxalsi
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