For several months, and due to the geopolitical context following the attack on 7 October 2023, Israel’s presence in European sports competitions has been questioned. Some often wonder why the national teams and clubs of the Jewish state are affiliated with European federations, which has no geographical justification.
In football, Israel was part of the Asian Confederation (AFC) for the first time since 1956. The country also won the Asian Cup of Nations, which was held on its territory, in 1964. But tensions already made the presence questionable of Israel for some of its opponents such as Egypt, Indonesia and Sudan who refused to play against the Israeli selection. Another notable example: the country almost played in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden… without having played a single match. But the authorities decided to shake things up by organizing a play-off against Wales, who lost to the Israelis.
After boycotts and sporting tensions, the Six-Day War of 1967 which pitted Israel against Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Israel was finally excluded from the Asian confederation following Kuwait’s request which was accepted by vote (17 in favour, 13 against and 6 abstentions). Then began 20 years of wandering. Israel fails to enter one of the confederations and therefore finds itself playing sometimes in the Europe zone, now in the Oceania zone.
In the 1990s, Israeli clubs regularly participated in European championships, such as Maccabi Tel-Aviv which participated in the Champions League in 1992. Two years later, in 1994, Israel officially entered UEFA. This integration in European sports happened much earlier in other sports. In basketball, for example, the country has been affiliated with the FIBA European Championships since 1953.
“To be isolated from sport is to be ostracized by nations”
But will this situation last? More and more boycotts and demonstrations are taking place during competitions, such as during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where some, such as Iran, have called for the exclusion of Israeli athletes. Recently, Palestine submitted an “immediate exclusion” request to FIFA, which ultimately decided in October not to sanction Israel despite rising tensions in the Middle East.
A “complex” situation according to Jean-Baptiste Guégan, sports geopolitician, which marks a difference with that experienced by Russia, forced to leave European competitions. For Israel “not being present at the championships would represent a further degradation of this national image, which is associated with political and civil condemnations. For Israel, sport is a means of visibility, of pride at the service of national history.” Casting it aside would be a serious blow to the Jewish state. “Being isolated from international sport, as Russia has demonstrated, also means being ostracized by nations, and it is a political, sporting and moral condemnation,” concludes Jean-Baptiste Guégan.
Interview: The Changing Landscape of Israeli Participation in European Sports
Interviewer (Editor of Time.news): Welcome, and thank you for joining us today to discuss the complex relationship between Israel and European sports. With recent geopolitical tensions, particularly following the attack on October 7, 2023, many are questioning Israel’s presence in European competitions. Can you shed some light on how we got here?
Expert: Thank you for having me. The historical context is crucial to understanding this issue. Israel’s participation in Asian sports has been fraught with tension since its establishment. In the 1950s, Israel was indeed part of the Asia Football Confederation. However, the geopolitical landscape has often affected whether they were accepted by other nations.
Interviewer: That’s fascinating. You mentioned that Israel won the Asian Cup of Nations in 1964. Did that success influence its standing in the region at the time?
Expert: Absolutely. Winning the Asian Cup was a significant achievement and showcased Israel’s prowess in football. However, the political tensions with neighboring countries soon overshadowed this success. Countries like Egypt, Indonesia, and Sudan refused to play against Israel, which led to increasing isolation.
Interviewer: The 1967 Six-Day War seems to have been a turning point. Can you explain how this changed Israel’s standing in the Asian Confederation?
Expert: Indeed, it was a pivotal moment. Following the war, Kuwait spearheaded a movement to exclude Israel from the Asian Confederation. The vote that resulted in Israel’s exclusion was deeply influenced by the geopolitical climate, indicating that sports were not immune to political pressures. This led to two decades where Israel lacked a stable confederation affiliation and had to navigate a whirlwind of participation in different regional zones, including Oceania.
Interviewer: That sounds exceedingly challenging. In the 1990s, we saw a shift when Israeli clubs started participating in European competitions. What prompted this new orientation?
Expert: The dissolution of the Soviet Union and the changes in global geopolitics created an opportunity for Israeli clubs. By 1994, Israel officially joined UEFA, which legitimized its participation in European leagues. This was a crucial step not just for football, but also for fostering international relationships through sport.
Interviewer: It seems that sports serve as a unique platform for diplomacy. How do you perceive Israel’s current situation in European sports amidst the latest geopolitical incidents?
Expert: It is indeed complex. The current tensions can bring back doubts about Israel’s participation in European tournaments. Some European federations and clubs may feel pressure from various factions to reconsider collaborations. Yet, sports have historically provided a window for dialogue, even amidst conflict. How Europe responds now will be critical in shaping those dynamics in the coming months.
Interviewer: Drifting back to the past, how did other sports, like basketball, integrate Israel more smoothly into European structures?
Expert: Basketball is a great example where Israel found acceptance much earlier. Following its success in international competitions and a more prominent global basketball scene, Israel established itself as a competitive nation in Europe sooner than in football. Its clubs, particularly Maccabi Tel Aviv, have a storied history in European competitions, which helped build a positive reputation.
Interviewer: where do you see the future of Israeli sports in Europe heading based on this trajectory?
Expert: The future largely depends on both the geopolitical climate and the ability of European federations to separate sports from politics. If the international community can promote sports as a unifying force rather than a divisive one, there is hope for continued Israeli involvement in European sports. However, ongoing conflicts may threaten that prospect.
Interviewer: Thank you for sharing your insights with us today. It’s a fascinating yet challenging narrative, and we hope to see sports reigniting dialogue and cooperation despite the current circumstances.
Expert: Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important issue. The world of sports is dynamic, and it often reflects the complexities of our societies.