Israel's Golden Generation of Footballers: A Dream Deferred
A squad that captivated a nation with its unity and talent now faces a future clouded by conflict and societal division.
In June 2023, Israel's Under-20 football team achieved a historic feat, reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup and captivating the nation. The team's success, marked by a quarter-final victory over powerhouse Brazil, was celebrated across Israeli society, with politicians commending their performance and public interest soaring. Commentators described the experience as "like reporting on science fiction," highlighting the unprecedented nature of the team's achievements.
The squad, a cohesive unit molded by coach Ofir Haim, notably included players from diverse backgrounds, including Arab Israelis. One such player, Anan Khalaili, an Israeli Arab, expressed his gratitude to viewers using the Hebrew phrase "Am Yisrael," meaning "People of Israel." This gesture was seen by many as symbolic of the team's potential to foster unity and represent a more inclusive future for the nation, where Muslim and Jewish players contributed to a shared identity.
This period of optimism, however, was shattered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel's subsequent military offensive in Gaza has led to a significant loss of Palestinian lives. As the conflict continues, the realization of this young generation's potential, both on and off the field, has been cast into uncertainty.
A Cohort of Talent
Beyond their World Cup run, this generation of Israeli footballers had already demonstrated their prowess. They were runners-up in the 2022 Under-19 Euros, losing to England in extra time, and reached the semi-finals of the 2023 Under-20 Euros. This cohort represents a depth of talent rarely seen in Israeli football, surpassing previous standout players like Eyal Berkovic and Yossi Benayoun.
Several players have since attracted significant international attention. Anan Khalaili, after a potential move to Inter Milan fell through, secured a transfer to Crystal Palace. Playmaker Oscar Gloukh, aged 22, now wears Ajax's number 10 shirt. Left-back Roy Revivo joined Spanish club Elche, while defender Stav Lemkin is also highly regarded. Other talents like Dor Turgeman, Ilay Feingold, and Idan Toklomati are making their mark in Major League Soccer in the United States. Many of these players have already earned senior caps for Israel.
Football as a Unifying Force
Historically, football in Israel has served as a space for different communities to interact. Dr. Omer Einav, a historian, notes that in the pre-state Mandate period, football was one of the few commonalities between European Jewish immigrants and the local Arab population. Following Israel's establishment in 1948, Arab citizens, who constitute 20% of the population, became an integral part of Israeli football, representing a disproportionately high percentage of elite players.
However, the inclusion of Arab players in national teams has not been without controversy. Rifaat Turk, the first Arab player to represent Israel's national team in 1976, faced abuse. In 2018, Bibars Natcho became the first Muslim to captain the team, with his decision not to sing the national anthem, which references the Jewish search for a homeland, drawing criticism from some quarters.
Rising Tensions and Increased Racism
Matan Segal, formerly of the anti-discrimination initiative Kick It Out Israel, observed a marked increase in racist sentiment against Arab players in Israeli club football, particularly after the October 7th attacks. Factors contributing to this rise include online radicalization during COVID-19 lockdowns and the election of a far-right government in late 2022, which legitimized previously fringe views. The war has amplified these tensions, with reports of hateful chants and remarks becoming more prevalent, even in smaller clubs where such issues were previously less common.
Football stadiums and matches have become focal points for emotions surrounding the conflict. While rival clubs have united to commemorate victims of the Hamas attacks, and some clubs have incorporated tributes to victims and fallen soldiers into their badges and social media, the heightened atmosphere has placed young footballers under immense pressure. Players with Palestinian heritage, like Dia Saba, have faced scrutiny and career repercussions for expressing sentiments perceived as sympathetic to Palestinians, even when done privately by family members.
Navigating Divided Loyalties
Players who voice opinions on the conflict often face difficult choices and intense scrutiny from all sides. Some Palestinian prospects within Israel have chosen to represent Palestine, such as Ataa Jaber, who switched nationalities in June 2023, citing the eviction of Palestinian families from East Jerusalem as a catalyst. This decision impacted his career prospects and led to calls for his Israeli citizenship to be revoked.
Beram Kayal, a former Israeli international, acknowledges the challenges faced by Arab citizens in Israel, particularly concerning opportunities. However, he remains a proponent of a pluralistic future for Israel and believes football can be a tool for achieving it. His own enduring friendship with Tomer Hemed, a Jewish former teammate, exemplifies his belief in football's ability to transcend religious and cultural differences.
Kayal now works with the Israel Football Association (IFA) to support young talents from Palestinian areas. The IFA has also taken steps to ensure inclusivity, such as providing Hebrew language lessons for Arabic-speaking coaches after Arabic was relegated as an official language in 2018. Kayal advocates for Arab players to embrace their cultural identity within the national team setup, stressing that Israel, as a young nation, must learn from its diverse DNA.
An Uncertain Future
With the senior men's national team aiming for Euro 2028 qualification under new coach Ran Ben-Shimon, increased pressure on players and squad unity is expected. International matches have already seen protests against Israel's actions in Gaza, highlighting the global politicization of the conflict that rarely surfaces in open discourse within Israel. Dr. Sophia Solomon notes that Israelis are highly sensitive to any perceived sympathy towards Hamas, equating it to Holocaust denial.
Solomon suggests that it may take a decade or more for Israeli society, including its footballers, to openly process the trauma of recent years and discuss the conflict. For now, many players and figures avoid direct engagement with these sensitive topics. Whether this talented generation of footballers can fulfill their potential amidst such deeply entrenched divisions remains to be seen. The hope they ignited in the summer of 2023 offered a glimpse of what could be, but the ensuing reality has significantly altered their trajectory.