Lucas Goldenberg is a different citizen in the Israeli landscape.
While the vast majority of citizens come from the USA, he comes from Argentina.
The 30-year-old forward is playing his second season in Israel and is doing so in Hapoel Afula.
Last season he was promoted to the league with the northern team and this season is his first season in the Premier League.
Some citizens have encountered security incidents in the past, which Israel had to deal with, but for Cordova-born Goldenberg, the war that broke out on October 7 was a completely new thing: "In the beginning it was a very big market for me and my family and it affected me a lot.
I went to Spain and was there for a month with a friend and I was also able to train there.
I didn't want to go to Argentina because I was afraid it would be difficult to return.
When I was informed that the league was coming back, it was clear to me that I was coming back.
I knew it would be okay and I would be protected.
I was 100 percent sure of my decision.
It's clear that everyone here feels the situation and it's sad, there's tension in the air, but I have the opportunity to enjoy myself here as a professional player.'
Did the family agree that you would return to Israel?
"It's quite clear that they were worried, but I reassured them and said it would be fine and they trusted the decision.
I promised my mother that I would be in touch every day and that's what I'm doing.'
Take me back to October 7th for you.
"The day before we opened the league with a match against Nes Ziona and it was supposed to be a day off when I planned to go to Tel Aviv.
There were no alarms in our area and I woke up in area nine and then saw many messages and missed calls from management and my agent.
Only then did I begin to understand what had happened and I was shocked.
The first thing was to send a message to my parents in Argentina so that when they wake up and hear what happened they will know that I am fine.
It was a very difficult day.
I was instructed not to leave the house at all and I was in contact with friends to make sure everything was fine and also with the relatives I have here in Ashkelon and Caesarea.'
Goldenberg (right), photo: Maor Alxalsi
What is it like to play basketball these days?
"this is different.
On the one hand, it is difficult to concentrate 100 percent on basketball.
On the other hand, having games helps the fans.
Allows them to relax, to return even if it is for two hours to a normal life.
We do it for the fans.
We the players make sure to concentrate on basketball.'
Are you feeling like an ambassador these days?
'I try to do everything I can.
My family in Argentina understands exactly what is happening.
With the friends it's a different story and I have to explain to them and give them the right information, not what they hear and read.
My goal is to help them understand the real picture.'
Goldenberg against Manko in a match against Maccabi Tel Aviv,
We have 136 abductees in Gaza.
"It's terrible, just terrible.
This is a difficult situation to grasp.
All hope is that they will return as soon as possible for themselves and their families.
Everyone is suffering a lot.'
Do you feel that the events increased your connection to the country?
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"I connected to Israel immediately when I arrived.
When I landed for the first time a year and a half ago, it was my first time in Israel.
Even so, I felt like I had already been here many times.
I immediately felt like I belonged.
They welcomed me in the group and in the city in the best possible way and supported me a lot.
I immediately felt at home.
Obviously, after everything that happened I feel even more connected.
This is also why I did not hesitate to come back here.
I knew this was not the time to leave.
I am also here to help my friends, to hear them and to let them feel that they have a place to vent all their emotions and what they are feeling these days.
It is very important.
I so hope that we can go back to being happy, that everything will go back to how it was, and above all - that the abductees will return home.'
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