Israel vs England Euro 2008 qualifier in Israel
Ramat Gan Stadium, Saturday 24th March 2007

NIF’s Kick Racism Out of Israeli Football Campaign Celebrates on a Global Scale

An 80-strong NIF UK delegation flew out to Tel Aviv to watch England play Israel in the Euro 2008 qualifier on Saturday 24th March.  They also took part in a range of highly publicised meetings and events within the framework of NIF’s Kick Racism Out of Football campaign to combat racism in Israeli society.

A global TV audience of tens of millions of viewers in 22 countries saw live coverage as Israeli children from all sectors of society wearing the NIF “Kick Racism Out” logo accompanied the Israeli and England football teams onto the pitch prior to the game.  In the presence of 41,000 spectators at the Ramat Gan National Stadium, the ceremony had a nearly 40 per cent rating in Israel alone, which translates into more than a million viewers.

Minister of Sport Ghaleb Majadle, Israel's first-ever Arab minister in his first public address, said he hoped the "Kick Racism Out" campaign would help fight discrimination against Arabs in Israel. "It is our job to hold hands with people from all parts of society in this effort to stop racism and violence in sports and in the entire Israeli society," Majadele said.

As part of their trip, NIF’s UK delegation also visited Israel’s only jointly owned Arab-Jewish team, Hapoel Abu Ghosh-Mevasseret Zion, where they were shown how soccer can promote coexistence. Hundreds of local Jewish and Arab residents came to greet the British visitors, generating a festive atmosphere.

Launched in 2002, NIF’s campaign has put the subject of racism in Israeli society on the public agenda. Achievements have included new legislation specifically outlawing racist chanting at football matches and subsequent arrests and convictions. The pro-active and educational phase of the campaign began last March, using the experience and know-how developed by the English FA and Kick It Out UK.

Prime Minister Tony Blair and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert both wrote letters praising NIF’s campaign to combat racism in Israeli society through our football program.
In his letter Tony Blair said “I would therefore like to take this opportunity to praise the work already undertaken by the Israel Football Association (IFA) and the New Israel Fund and wish them the greatest success in their efforts to free football of racism in Israel.”

Ehud Olmert wrote, “I congratulate the New Israel Fund and the Israel Football Association on their noble efforts to reduce the phenomenon of violence and racism during football matches.”

To make a donation to the campaign please click here
For more information:

Click here for more information about the Kick Racism Out of Israeli Football campaign.
Click here for Tony Blair's support statement.
Click here for Ehud Olmert's support statement.
Click here for International Herald Tribune: "Israeli Minister Backs Racism Campaign"
Click here for The Independent: “Football Can Show The Way to Israeli Society”
Click here for Jerusalem Post: “English fans enjoy Israel's sun, surf and serious side”
Click here for a Jerusalem post article on racism in Israel football.
Click here for a Sky video report on racism in Israeli Football.

Click here for an American Prospect article on the Kick Racism Out of Israeli Football campaign.




The English FA, the New Israel Fund and the Jewish Chronicle working together to support The Israeli FA in tackling racism.