Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Give That Man A Passport!

Article taken from Der Spiegel:

Toto Tamuz is a striker for Beitar Jerusalem, the most successful striker in the league, in fact, with 10 goals to his name this season; a talent that could shoot Israel to Euro 2008.

But now, Tamuz is on strike: he was down to play for his country against the Ukraine later this month, but turned down the nomination. The reason? He wants an Israeli passport. He belongs to the 'stateless': he was born in Nigeria, but moved with his parents to Israel when he was two. He remained there illegally until December 2005. Only then did the Israeli Interior Ministry grant him a temporary Residence Permit, and only through this was he able to play at all for the national team. Now his Permit has expired; Tamuz does not want to extend it, he demands instead a passport: "I represent Israel with pride. I would like it to treat me the same."

The Minstry turned down his application. Just because Tamuz is a well-known footballer does not mean he has "a right to Israeli Citizenship". Tamuz has taken his case to the Supreme Court. Israel plays England in a Euro 2008 qualifier on 24th March. Quite possibly without Toto Tamuz.


As in the title: TT for Israel! Give him a passport!

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Existenzielle Courage

Jagdszenen in der französischen Hauptstadt am vergangenen Donnerstag: Ein schwarzer Polizist schützt jüdische Fußballfans vor einem mehr als 150 Menschen starken Mob, der daraufhin zur Lynchjustiz bläst. Als mehrere Vorwarnungen und selbst Tränengas nichts helfen, erschießt der Beamte einen der Angreifer; ein weiterer wird schwer verletzt. Sowohl ein Journalist, der Augenzeuge des Geschehens wird, als auch die französische Polizeigewerkschaft UNSA sprechen von legitimer Notwehr; die Staatsanwaltschaft, die zunächst wegen des Verdachts der „vorsätzlichen Tötung“ gegen den Polizisten ermittelt, scheint diese Einschätzung inzwischen zu teilen. Der Innenminister und der Pariser Bürgermeister plädieren für ein drakonisches Vorgehen gegen Antisemitismus und Rassismus, während sich die Situation in Frankreich zuspitzt.

Bereits während des UEFA-Pokal-Spiels von Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) gegen Hapoel Tel Aviv, das das Team aus Israel mit 4:2 gewann, waren Spieler und Fans der Gäste einer ausgesprochen feindseligen Stimmung ausgesetzt. „Wir haben die Gesänge der Franzosen gehört, die in keiner Weise etwas mit Fußball zu tun hatten“, kommentierte Hapoels Pressesprecher Amir Lubin gegenüber Galei Zahal Radio mit vornehmer Zurückhaltung die Tatsache, dass ein nicht unerheblicher Teil des Publikums antisemitische Hassparolen gegrölt hatte. Jean-Philippe D’Hallivillée, Leiter des Sicherheitsdienstes des Pariser Klubs, sagte, seine Mitarbeiter hätten die Partie überwacht und rechtsradikale Aktivitäten wie das Zeigen des Hitlergrußes aufgezeichnet. Dutzende von Zuschauern seien festgenommen und verhört worden. Die meisten der rund 1.500 Hapoel-Fans mussten nach dem Spielende zunächst unter Polizeischutz im Stadion ausharren.

Auf einige der Israelis, die die Arena bereits verlassen hatten, eröffnete eine zunächst dreißig- bis vierzigköpfige Gruppe die Jagd. Philippe Broussard, Reporter des Nachrichtenmagazins L’Express, wurde zum Beobachter dieser Hatz. Seinem Bericht zufolge rief die Menge antisemitische Parolen und verfolgte schließlich Janniv Hazout und drei weitere Hapoel-Supporter. Den Bedrohten zu Hilfe eilte Antoine Granomort, ein 32-jähriger Polizist in Zivil. „Bleib hinter mir! Bleib verdammt noch mal hinter mir!“, versuchte er Hazout zu schützen. Den Angreifern gab er sich als Polizist zu erkennen, doch die Meute wuchs rasch auf mindestens 150 Personen an, nahm nun auch Granomort ins Visier und ging mit Rufen wie „dreckiger Jude“, „dreckiger Neger, dich bringen wir um“, „Le Pen Präsident“ und „Frankreich den Franzosen“ auf ihn los: Er wurde zu Boden geworfen und in den Bauch getreten. Granomort setzte sich zunächst mit Tränengas zu Wehr, doch der Mob setzte ihm erneut zu. Daraufhin fiel ein Schuss: Er traf den 25-jährigen Julien Quemere tödlich und verletzte anschließend den ein Jahr älteren Mounir Bouchaer schwer. „Er ist von 150 aufgeheizten Typen angegangen worden, und wenn er nicht geschossen hätte, wäre er dabei draufgegangen“, sprach Frédéric Lagache, der Leiter der Polizeigewerkschaft UNSA, von einer eindeutigen Notwehrsituation für Granomort, der schließlich in einem nahe gelegenen Schnellrestaurant Schutz suchte und selbst dort noch attackiert wurde.

Der Getötete gehörte den Boulogne Boys an, einer Organisation von PSG-Fans, aus deren Gesinnung Aymeric de Saint Hilaire, einer ihrer Anführer, in einem Interview mit einer befreundeten Ultra-Gruppierung von Rapid Wien keinen Hehl machte: „Seit 1978 ist die ‚Boulogne’ die historische Tribüne der PSG-Anhängerschaft, genannt ‚KOB’“ – deren Teil die Boulogne Boys sind – „und in extrem rechter Orientierung. Viele von uns sind Nationalisten und stolze Franzosen.“ Die es nicht bei Hassparolen belassen, sondern sie regelmäßig auch in die Tat umsetzen; bereits 1998 hatte es beim Spiel gegen den israelischen Verein Maccabi Haifa blutige antisemitische Ausschreitungen gegeben. Und auch rassistische Schmähungen und Übergriffe sind beim harten Kern des PSG-Publikums nichts Neues: Schwarze Spieler der gegnerischen Teams beispielsweise werden regelmäßig mit Affenlauten bedacht, und erst vor knapp zwei Wochen verurteilte ein Gericht zwei PSG-Hooligans zu Gefängnisstrafen. Die beiden hatten einen dunkelhäutigen Franzosen angegriffen.

Empörte Anwohner forderten nach den Attacken auf die israelischen Fans und den Polizisten die Auflösung des französischen Erstligaklubs Paris-Saint Germain; dessen Vorsitzender Alain Cayzac sprach von der „düstersten Stunde“ seines Vereins und erklärte, er werde die „Geißel des Rassismus und Antisemitismus beim PSG“ bekämpfen. Wenn er das nicht schaffe, werde er die Konsequenzen ziehen. Auch der Pariser Bürgermeister Bertrand Delanoe betonte, es sei „absolut notwendig“, Antisemitismus und Rassismus im Umfeld der Fußballanhänger „mit allen Mitteln“ zu bekämpfen. Innenminister Nicolas Sarkozy kündigte nach einer Krisensitzung mit Fußballvereinen und Pariser Fanklubs an, „die rassistischen Elemente aus den Stadien zu fegen“: „Wir wollen keine Nazi-Grüße und keine Affenschreie, wenn schwarze Spieler den Ball berühren.“ Und auch keine antijüdischen Hassgesänge und Hetzjagden, darf man wohl annehmen.

Derlei Entschlossenheit ist so begrüßenswert wie verspätet. Denn der Antisemitismus nimmt in Frankreich bereits seit geraumer Zeit dramatisch zu und sorgt dafür, dass immer mehr französische Juden über eine Auswanderung nach Israel nachdenken oder diesen Schritt bereits vollzogen haben. Eine Studie der Europäischen Stelle zur Beobachtung von Rassismus und Fremdenfeindlichkeit (EUMC) hatte bereits vor drei Jahren festgestellt, dass für den rasanten Anstieg antijüdischer Straftaten in der EU – insbesondere in Frankreich – hauptsächlich Jugendliche aus islamischen Einwandererfamilien verantwortlich sind.* Die teilweise aggressive Politik der französischen Regierung gegenüber Israel heizt die Situation zusätzlich an. Hinzu kommt, dass der Front National des Jean-Marie Le Pen weit weniger als in früheren Jahren gegen Muslime zu Felde zieht, sondern den unter diesen verbreiteten Antisemitismus längst als tertium comparationis und ideologisches Scharnier entdeckt hat. Eine entsprechende Arbeitsteilung war auch am vergangenen Donnerstag im Prinzenparkstadion zu beobachten, als auf der einen Tribünenseite die Boulogne Boys ihre antisemitischen Tiraden schmetterten, während auf der anderen palästinensische und libanesische Fahnen geschwenkt und „Es lebe Palästina“-Parolen gerufen wurden. Denkbar, dass auch die anschließende Jagd auf Hapoel-Fans und den Polizisten als Allianz von Nazis und Islamisten stattfand.

Antoine Granomort wiederum hat – daran kann nach den Augenzeugenberichten kein Zweifel bestehen – gezeigt, was in Sonntagsreden gemeinhin als Courage bezeichnet wird, und das in einer für ihn existenziellen Situation: Er hat bedrohte jüdische Fußballfans vor einem antisemitischen Lynchmob geschützt, der dadurch Zuwachs bekam, ihm selbst nach dem Leben trachtete und sich dabei auch von Warnungen bis hin zu einem Tränengaseinsatz nicht beeindrucken ließ. Nun ist es an anderen, dafür zu sorgen, dass solche Dramen gar nicht erst entstehen.

* Die Untersuchung wurde zunächst unter Verschluss gehalten, weil man bei der EUMC fürchtete, ihre Veröffentlichung könnte zu Ausschreitungen durch Muslime führen. Diese Erkenntnis, die also die Resultate der Studie untermauerte, führte dazu, dass die genannte Gruppe in der offiziellen Endfassung nicht mehr als für antisemitische Straftaten hauptverantwortliche auftauchte.

Monday, October 30, 2006

The Rotten Underbelly of German Football

Lots of friends went to Germany for the World Cup and had only good things to say about it. German football has the highest attendances in Europe, tickets are cheap, you can drink beer, the Bundesliga is thriving despite the average performances of their teams in Europe.

However, scratch below the surface, and you'll uncover society's real problems and prejudices coming to light. Hot on the heels of the anti-semitic shame game in Berlin a few weeks back and Stuttgart Kickers-Hertha match getting abandoned due to the linesman being hit by a missile, at the weekend, there were at least 3 separate incidents of major violence at lower league German matches, including major riots not even a mile from where I live, at the 3rd division Hertha Amateurs- Dynamo Dresden match.

Endi, fellow TeBe Party Army member, was there and reported all sorts of 'fun', including chants of "Juden Berlin" [Jew-Berlin] and "Jude Jude Jude! B-F-C!" [calling their rivals Dynamo Berlin Jews] Recall that this is commonplace behavour in East Germany, in fact Dresden fans it seems have not learned their lesson from taunts aimed at them from Cottbus fns in December 2005. Nice videos are available on Endi's blog. Bear in mind that this wasn't just a case of 20 or 30 isolated fans chanting these songs, but the whole curve. Repeatedly.

East German football is rotten to the core, reflecting the malaise in society there which has led to the post-Nazi NPD getting representation in all East German State parliaments. More education needed.

For a report on a non-eventful, gay (in the homosexual sense), almost peaceful game of football in deepest East Germany, check out TeBe Party Army. Bye bye promotion.

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Kick Racism Out Of German Football




A new week, a new scandal. Last week, it was fascist fans with naked anti-semitism. This week, it's German under-21 PLAYERS racially abusing black England players.

England in 'monkey' jibe fury

By STEVE BRENNER
October 12, 2006

ENGLAND stars claim Anton Ferdinand was called “a donkey and a monkey” by a German player.

The FA are waiting to hear from UEFA after issuing an official complaint following England Under-21s 2-0 win in Leverkusen on Tuesday.

Ferdinand and Micah Richards both complained of racial abuse from rival players.

An insider said: “The Germans were calling Anton a monkey and a donkey. It was bang out of order and Anton was upset.”

Anti-racism campaigners have called on football chiefs to take action.


Ironically, the man at the centre of the accusations, Aaron Hunt, has an English mother and could have played for England, but said he never seriously considered such an eventuality. Hunt himselfdenies the allegations publicly on the Werder Bremen website.

Erm, one would think that the 2 English players did not mishear another English native speaker aiming the words "donkey" and "monkey" at them, nor that said native speaker knew what he was saying and that they were not just any old "fierce verbal exchanges".

Monday, October 09, 2006

Oh, And Another Thing...

Well done to Hapoel Tel-Aviv and Maccabi Haifa for making it into the group stages of the UEFA Cup. Unfortunately, Hertha are too crap to get there to give us the chance of seeing an Israeli time in Berlin. Here's Hapoel's and Maccabi's groups:

Rangers00
Partizan00
Auxerre00
M. Haifa00
Livorno00

Panathinaikos00
PSG00
Rapid Bucuresti00
H. Tel-Aviv00
Mladá Boleslav00

Both have a realistic chance of progressing. Rangers are shit in Europe.

Anti-semitism, Germany, Football

Don't know why it's taken so long for someone to post this story...

Anyway the story first came to my attention via Doughnut Boy, who posted it on the Anti-Defamation Forum. A good English version courtesy of Ynetnews.com, German versions via Tagesspiegel, Berliner Zeitung, et al.

Berlin club protests about anti-Semitic abuse

Players of lower-league team Tus Makkabi walk off pitch after facing 'gas the Jews' and 'Auschwitz is back' chants

A Berlin lower-league club has complained to German soccer authorities about anti-Semitic chants that they faced at a recent match.

Players from Jewish club TuS Makkabi in the Berlin district league, five divisions below the Bundesliga, walked off the pitch in protest in the 78th minute of the match at VSG Altglienicke in east Berlin.


The statement from Makkabi can be found (in German) here.

Consider some of the chants the players were confronted with:

- "Synagogues must burn"

- "Führer , Führer , Führer, Führer"

- "Ausschwitz is back"

- "This isn't a Jew state, this isn't the German Jew Republic"

- "Gas the Jews"

- "JEWS, JEWS, JEWS"

- "The Federal Republic don't rule here, the NPD [neo-Nazi party] rule"



And for something totally nuts, while standing by the touchline, near the referee, and being abused by fans, a Makkabi player turned to the ref and said "Did you hear that?" The ref looked at him and said "No". Later, Makkabi player Vernen Liebermann, just before the game was abandoned, said to referee Brüning "If you have an ounce of decency for history in this country, then you must help us now". As a response, Brüning sent him off.

When you consider that TuS Makkabi is the only recognisable Jewish club, certainly in Berlin, and that the authorities did nothing or deliberately chose to turn a blind eye, this is scary, especially as it was a German 5th division away match in a pretty nasty part of Berlin. Those players really could have got badly hurt, no-one helped them at all, and they were forced to walk off themselves to make an issue of it.


Just for your information: more about Jews in German football on the FARE website. The FARE action week is taking place in Berlin soon. This, hopefully, with the help of TeBe fans and others, (we are in the process of organising a friendly match of TeBe fans against a Makkabi side) will be at the top of the agenda.

Monday, August 07, 2006

UEFA Join The Club

For what this about, see the last article here/ below.

Typical.

From their website:

UEFA has today decided that, in light of the ongoing armed conflicts in and around Israel, no European competition matches can be staged in the country until further notice.

Alternative venues
UEFA had already decided last week to move the home first-leg matches of the UEFA Cup second qualifying round involving Israeli teams to venues outside of Israel. UEFA has also informed the Israel Football Association and its clubs that they should be providing alternative venues within the territory of one of the UEFA member associations. The UEFA administration will continue to monitor the safety and security situation in Israel and further decisions will be made according to changes in this situation.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Europe and Israel

Liverpool don't want to play in Israel. From the BBC:

Uefa will announce on 7 August whether Liverpool have to travel to Israel for their Champions League tie with Maccabi Haifa on 22 or 23 August.

European football's governing body said on Monday that Israel could not host Uefa Cup second qualifying round games because of its conflict with Lebanon.

The matches will be moved to a neutral country, with Cyprus a likely venue.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez has said it is 'totally unacceptable' to go to Israel given the current security situation.

Uefa's decision to move Uefa Cup games will affect Hapoel Tel Aviv's home tie against NK Domzale of Slovenia on 8 August.

Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv's home match with Bulgaria's Lokomotiv Sofia on 10 August will also be moved to a neutral venue.

As well as Liverpool's match with Maccabi Haifa, Beitar Jerusalem's Uefa Cup second qualifying round clash on 24 August with Dinamo Bucharest could be affected.


This is a very sad state of affairs indeed for Israeli football and Israeli football fans. I cant see any reason why Liverpool cant play the match in Israel, even if there are concerns that Tel Aviv may be within range of Hezbollah rockets from Iran - why not play the match in the South? Interesting too is the mention of Israel's conflict with Lebanon, surely they are fighting the terrorist group Hezbollah, an illegal militant group in Lebanon that is funded by Iran and Syria and a danger to Lebanon's fragile democracy.

Rather than being "totally unacceptable" to travel to Israel at this time it should be considered to be "totally important". The football mad Israeli civilian society is under attack from rockets fired randomly into residential areas in the North. Playing the match in the country would be a an important sign of solidarity. Liverpool FC, who themselves have received their fair share of solidarity in the past, obviously dont share this opinion. Moving the match to Cyprus would be a blow to the Israeli clubs, Israeli football, Israeli fans and the civilian society - it would be a victory for the terrorists. The Israeli FA has reacted angrily:

Israeli FA chairman Iche Menahem reacted angrily to the news and said the IFA would "respond severely and will not let the decision pass unchallenged".

"I would like Uefa to take this decision while they are here in Israel and not from their offices in Switzerland," Menahem said in a statement.


UEFA will make their decison next week but I doubt from their past form that they are likely to back the IFA, both UEFA and FIFA just other international bodies that appease the culprits and punish the victims. Israel is by far the best international team in the Middle East but has to try to qualify in the European leagues for the World Cup as many of its regional opponents are effectively at war with it by refusing to accept its existence. Even the countries that do accept it grudgingly cannot guarantee the safety of the team and fans. FIFA, rather than punishing the surrounding nations for not playing another FIFA member, dumped Israel into the European group of UEFA. This "compromise" may mean that Israel has a tougher time qualifying for the World Cup finals but at least means that Israeli teams have the chance of playing in the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. With the start of the Intifada and the brutal anti-Semitic murder attacks on the Israeli civilian population by suicide attacks the rights for Israeli teams to play home matches was taken away. After the security fence succesfully managed to keep out the threat, international football returned to Israel but only in a restricted form.

International football returned to Israel in April 2004 after a 25-month ban due to the worsening security situation in the country.

Matches can only be played in the Tel Aviv area.

Between March 2002 and April 2004 Israeli clubs and teams were forced to host their opponents at a number of European venues including Cyprus, Turkey, Italy and Bulgaria.


Of course Liverpool FC have a responsibility to their fans and their team. Of course they want to win the match and play it safely - They are a football team, a business and not a political body. Their attempts to move the match out of Israel is however unacceptable. If UEFA is forcing Israel to play in Tel Aviv and Tel Aviv may be within rocket range then move the match to the South and change the UEFA ruling on Tel Aviv to reflect the current security situation. It is UEFA's responsibility to promote football in Israel - it's time they took this seriously rather than punishing the victims. Clubs should not be able to exploit the current situation for their own advantage and take away the home advantage for clubs in Israel.

Israel should not be "walking alone" but I suspect UEFA's decision on the 7th will mean they will be forced to play matches again in neutral venues. Hezbollah Terror 1 - Israel 0 due to a bad refereeing decision is the most likely result of this UEFA enquiry. So come on UEFA, surprise me.