KFAR MACCABIAH, Israel — The 13th Maccabiah Games opened today amid tight security with a record 4,350 Jewish athletes from around the world competing in events ranging from chess to track and field.
Hundreds of police, backed by paramilitary border patrol units and an anti-terrorist squad, were deployed to ensure security for the Maccabiah Games. The stadium at Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, where the opening ceremony was held, was swept repeatedly today for bombs.
