Friendship in Football
Hapoel Abu-Gosh Mevaseret Zion, the only football team founded in Israel as a symbol of living together, consisting of both Jewish and Muslim founders and football players, was in Istanbul last week for a friendship visit.Translation by Janet MITRANI
Extraordinary example of living together and sport
Last Sunday the players of the team consisting of Israeli Jews and Muslims, were in Istanbul together with Dr. Alon Liel, the former Israeli Ambassador to Ankara and the founder of the team.
When I asked him to introduce the team to us, Liel said, "We are all from Jerusalem and this group idea was not received too well at first. Abu Gosh families are conservative people. However, in time, a wonderful harmony was formed among the players. Today we are a team of 27 people. We even have a stadium. We played in many countries albeit amateurish. The Yilmazlar Construction Group in Israel has been our sponsor in many ways for 18 years. This time Yılmazlar suggested we play in Turkey; so we came to play with the amateur groups."
Last Monday, we went to the Şişli Beth Israel Synagogue for the evening prayer altogether for Purim and listened to the Megillat Esther where our Chief Rabbi Haleva was also present.
I wish many more years of activity and success to this extraordinary group, which returned to Israel after their football match with the Gaziosmanpaşa team Beşyüzevler SK on Wednesday.