Israel’s rhythmic gymnastics team won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics on Saturday, bringing the Jewish state’s overall medal haul to a record seven.

The previous Israeli record at the Olympics was four medals in Tokyo in 2021. The one gold, five silvers and one bronze at Paris brings the overall medal count to 20, all at the Summer Games, since 1952.

Fifth after the first event of Women’s Rhythmic Gymnastics Group All-Around at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena, the Israeli team – Shani Bakanov, 18, Adar Friedmann, 18, Romi Paritzki, 20, Ofir Shaham, 19, and Diana Svertsov, 19 – rallied in the second event to secure silver with 68.850, nearly catching gold medal winner China (69.800). Italy got the bronze with 68.100.

Until Paris, the highest Israel had achieved in rhythmic gymnastics was three 6th-place finishes.

“You are fantastic. You have brought pride and honor to the State of Israel on a scale that is hard to describe. You have achieved a seventh medal, and that is simply thanks to your talent, effort and being together – and your being together with the country,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the team on Saturday evening, according to his office.

“I would like to congratulate you. I am proud of you – the entire country is proud of you. You are simply an amazing team. Well done,”  he continued, adding that he and his wife had watched “every second”. 

The gymnasts thanked the premier, saying, “We are very proud to represent the country.”