Brazil, home of "the beautiful game" and site of the 2014 World Cup, is getting a not-so-pretty reception in Israel.
Earlier this month, Brazil announced that two of its most celebrated soccer teams -- Rio's Flamengo and Corinthians from Sao Paulo -- would come to the West Bank to play a 'peace match' at the new stadium near Ramallah.
"Brazil has no better greeting card than soccer," said Vera Centia, Brazil's foreign ministry sports coordinator. "We will try to deliver a good message to that suffering region."
There are reports that Brazilian soccer legend Pele plans to lead a delegation to watch the match.
Barring injury, the star of the game would most likely be "O Fenomeno" ("The Phenomenon"), aka Ronaldo, the high-profile Corinthians striker.
But, according to Yedioth Ahronoth, Israeli leaders are apparently none-too-happy with the plan to play in Ramallah, but not Israel.
"Diplomatic relations between Israel and Brazil have worsened over a soccer game," writes Itamar Eichner in today's Yedioth.
According to Eichner, the Israeli ambassador to Brazil is protesting.
“I intend to make it clear to the Brazilians that if there isn’t a game in Israel, we will regard that as if we are being boycotted,” said the ambassador, according to Yedioth. “It would be best if there were two games—one in Ramallah and one in Israel—or a joint game that is played by Brazil, Israel and the Palestinians.”
Hahahahaha... Why are the Israelis so absurdly sensitive. Maybe if they didn't whine and cry foul over every perceived iniquity, maybe they would be liked a little more. If I had a dollar for everytime the Israeli gov't, AIPAC, and the Anti-Defamation League had an aneurism over nothing, I'd be rich.
Posted by: Samayavajra | June 18, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Maybe if there were no racist idiots like Sam-whoever above, the world would be a better place. Please do the rest of us a favor and climb back under your rock.
Posted by: Happy and Proud | June 25, 2009 at 05:49 PM