Israel's youth team, which reached the semifinals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup on Saturday, is an example of coexistence that succeeds – and in a big way. And yet, despite the pure sporting achievement, despite the moving images of young Jews and Arabs celebrating side by side in blue and white, in Israel, as in Israel, it is impossible to put aside the political divide even for a moment.
After the huge victory of the Brazilian national team, during which two players of Arab origin, Hamza Shibli and Anan Halaili, scored in Arab society and rejoiced, but also seasoned the joy with sarcastic remarks that illustrated their difficult feelings about their status in society.
"There are no Arabs, no gates," boasted Arab Knesset members and journalists following the victory. Knesset Member Ahmad Tibi wrote in response to journalist Ben Caspit, who wrote: "Someone check that Ahmed Tibi is okay, I have yet to see his tweet harassing all the racists and fascists," and that "I am satisfied with the integration of not many players into the team, from time to time they also score."
Watch the game summary. Courtesy here11
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The achievement of the national team is also largely recorded on footballers from Arab society. Apart from yesterday's goals by Shibli and Khalaily, the latter also scored Israel's dramatic winning goal in the eighth final against Uzbekistan, deep into extra time.
After yesterday's big victory, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called to congratulate coach Ofir Haim, and social networks wondered if he would have personally congratulated the goalscorers if two of them had not been Arabs.
There were also those who recalled the Nation-State Law, sarcastically wondering whether "this victory will be a partial victory for the Israeli team," because "according to the Nation-State Law, Arab footballers are not considered complete and equal Israelis."
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And while social media bickered and stung, the actors themselves experienced pure happiness. Hamza Shibli, who scored Israel's second goal of the game, said emotionally at the end: "I feel fantastic after scoring my first goal for the national team. I have no words. I went into the locker room and asked my friends, 'Am I really in the semifinals? Did I really score a goal? Did I really step on the grass?' I just can't believe it until now. Maybe later tonight I'll believe that I was really a part of it."
The father of first goalscorer Anan Halaili, Majdi, was interviewed by Reshet Bet this morning and said: "This is a happy morning for all of us and the people. They are already exhausted, but in good taste. I said that if they get past the group stage it will be an achievement, and every time they surprise us. It's a dream. Wishing everyone to be in my place at such a moment of goal. Proud of the child. He actually believed."
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In contrast to the youth team, Israel's senior national team has undergone a worrying process of politicization in recent years, after years of being a symbol of coexistence. Particularly memorable is Mons Dabur's post controversy during Operation Guardian of the Walls, which caused a split between the Arab and Jewish players in the national team, and ultimately also led to the striker's termination in the national uniform.
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