The EuroBasket 1979 was the 12th appearance for Israel at the European Basketball Championship. The team began their tournament journey with an opening phase defeat against France. Although the team would refocus, and win their next two matches against Poland, and Yugoslavia. The (2–1) record the team achieved was enough to advance to the final stage of the competition. There the team won three out of their five games, two finish in second place in the group, only behind the Soviet Union. This result gave Israel their first medal finish at the tournament.