Israel Is Everyone's Playing Field
August 29, 2006

Israel's 2006/07 soccer season kicked off a week late due to the war with pre-match anti-racism events organised by New Israel Fund and the Israel Football Association. Large banners at the stadiums declared that " Israel is Everyone's Playing Field," echoing the ads placed by New Israel Fund in the Arabic and Hebrew press during the war that "Israel is Everyone's Home."

In pre-match ceremonies televised live, the captains of Israel 's leading clubs declared: "In these difficult times following fighting and tension - it is hoped that soccer can help generate a new spirit promoting fairness and mutual respect beyond the stadium. The playing field brings people together, and is a place for cooperation and mutual respect and where a person is judged by their abilities regardless of their origins, the colour of their skin or religion."

Since its inception in 2004, New Israel Fund's New Voice in the Stadium has placed the topic of racist chants, such as "Death to Arabs," at soccer matches at the top of the public agenda. New legislation in 2005 specifically outlawed such behaviour and there have been many arrests and convictions.