The Movement for Reform Judaism

Today, an Israeli newspaper reported from the most British of Israeli kibbutzim, Kfar Hanassi. Several of its members are going to support - England. So much for Zionism! Like so many Israelis, they're avid followers of British football. To see the England team play Israel on Israel's turf is as close to heaven as soccer religion permits Jews. But, as suggested above, there are tensions and contradictions even in heaven.

To dramatize the situation further, one of the star players for Israel usually plays for a British team. How exciting can it get!

When I lived in Britain and the question of loyalty came up, the standard question was: If Britain and Israel were at war - in which army would you want to serve? Saturday's soccer event is another way of dealing with the same issue.

Of course, Britain and what's now Israel were at war in the years of the British Mandate, when Israeli freedom fighters (they're always freedom fighters when they're your own) attacked British positions and took British lives in their effort to bring about Jewish sovereignty. Jews believed then and believe now that the British favored the Arabs. This soccer match is, therefore, a kind of continuation of the old battle, this time by kosher means.

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Though it would be silly to read into the event more than necessary, you cannot be an Israeli and a Jew without reflecting on the fact that, for Israel to be a state like all other states, trying to excel in sport is more than it seems. It's yet another claim to normality. That's why Israelis pay so much attention to sport. Of late several Israeli tennis players have been in the news. Their relative successes have brought them a lot of money as well as boundless naches to their fellow-citizens.

The interest in soccer, tennis and other sports is also a welcome relief to news about the many Israeli politicians who don't play according to the rules of cricket. One corruption scandal follows another. Though that, too, may be a sign that Israel is like all other countries, Israelis prefer to manifest their normality in sport rather than in crime.

As Israel doesn't have the kind of pub life the Irish and the British are famous for, most Israelis will be sitting at home on Saturday night, on their own or with friends, and watching the spectacle. In view of the propensity of British fans to riot in the streets, this time perhaps with the odd anti-Semitic taunt, staying at home is extremely prudent.

Anti-Semitism and the Jewish problem: I hope Israel will win, not only for the usual reasons. A friend of mine tells me that his English, vaguely anti-Semitic, brother-in-law often reminds him that Jews aren't good at sport. (Read: The Jews are still in the ghetto, aren't they?). If Israel beats England, my friend will have something to say to his brother-in-law. In my book that's enough to hope for an Israeli victory.          

Jerusalem 22.3.07

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