Another First For Israel
Aussie Dave | May 19, 2004 | 3 comments
Bnei Sakhnin has become the first Israeli Arab soccer team to win Israel’s State Cup Final.
I watched the end moments of the game, and its aftermath. It filled me with pride to see one of the Bnei Sakhin players running around the field with an Israeli flag draped over his shoulders. And no doubt, Israeli Arabs are also filled with pride at their team’s achievement.
And apparently, some PLO Arabs are also ecstatic at the win.
Palestinian Authority cabinet minister Saeb Erekat called Sakhnin owner Ghnaim and expressed his appreciation of the team’s accomplishment. “This achievement also brings honor to the Palestinian people,” Erekat said.
This comment underscores the complex situation here in Israel. The PLO Arabs identify with a team of Arabs who are also citizens of Israel. The question is, with whom do the Israeli Arabs identify themselves?
In any event, well done to Bnei Sakhnin.
About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: MT Archives
Yes, this was the first time ever I watched a sports event with tears in my eyes. This is what it could be like – a multi-ethnic state with minorities who assert their place. Like the Danish minority in my native Germany, and the German minority in Denmark.
And before you laugh remember: only 140 years ago, Denmark and Germany went to war against each other after years of struggle, occupation, suppression of respective minorities… so yes there is hope for our land.
Yes, I remember Danish homocide bombers blowing themselves up in Berlin.
Ariks is completely right: it was never the intent of Denmark to destroy Germany and “throw the Germans in the sea”.
On the other hand it is the open stated goal of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Arafat’s Al-Aksa Brigades to destroy Israel and murder all of her Jewish citizens.