John Barnes To Launch Kick It Out In Israel
By Simon Griver

Israel and England are opponents in Euro 2008 but the partnership between the two countries in combatting racism will deepen next month with the launching of Kick It Out Israel by New Israel Fund (NIF) based on the English Kick It Out campaign.

Special guest at the Kick It Out Israel launch will be Liverpool and England legend John Barnes, who will be travelling to Israel on March 5th for the fourth time, having previously visited with England, Liverpool and as Celtic manager.

"Kick It Out has done great work in England," Barnes told the JC. "When I was a player the crowds were terribly racist in England and today that has almost all disappeared. It's only a start. Of course a racist fan may keep his mouth shut in the stadium but outside the ground he's still a racist. But it's an important start."

Barnes has been involved with Kick It Out since its founding in 1994. "Kick It Out does great work by arranging anti-racist events week in and week out," he said. "And we players complemented the programme through media appearances and interviews. I think Israel can really benefit from such a programme. The main problem there between Jewish and Arab fans is very similar to the Rangers/Celtic religious prejudice I encountered when I was in Glasgow as manager of Celtic. When it boils down to it racism and religious prejudice are the same so I think Kick It Out can work in Israel."

Barnes will lead a senior FA delegation to Israel which will include Simon Johnson, the FA's Director of Corporate Affairs, FA Project Manager Brendon Batson, Lucy Faulkner, FA's Ethics and Sports Equity Manager, Jane Bateman, FA's Head of International Relations and Kick It Out Director Piara Powar as well as NIF UK leaders.

"We think that Kick It Out is the right programme for Israel at the right time," explained Alan Bolchover, NIF UK's CEO. "If it can do for Israeli football what it has achieved here in England then that will also be an important contribution for coexistence between Israeli Jews and Arabs."

Kick It Out Israel will be a partnership between NIF, the Israel FA, the Israel PFA, the English FA and Kick It Out in England. Established in 1979 NIF promotes human rights, social and economic justice and religious pluralism in Israel.

"Kick It Out will transform leading Israeli football stars into a cadre of young social leaders to combat racism," said Itzik Shanan, NIF's Director of Coomunications and Public Education. "We will add to Kick It Out the know-how developed by NIF in other spheres."

The launch will take place on March 6th in the presence of the 12 captains from all Israel's Premiere League teams.