Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Israeli Soccer Team Light in Dark Days

Aired March 08, 2002 - 08:22   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Israel struck at several Palestinian targets today in the West Bank in Gaza. Those attacks coming on the heels of the deaths of five Israeli students killed by a Palestinian militant late yesterday. All of the violence in the Middle East has touched just about every aspect of the lives of Israelis and Palestinians alike, even the successful Tel Aviv soccer team. Despite defeating just about all of its opponents, regional violence is dimming the glimmer of hope that international competition can bring.

CNN's Mike Hanna has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE HANNA, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: These are Israel's soccer heroes, defenders of the happy world Tel Aviv team that has reached the quarter final stage of the Wafer Cup (ph), further than any Israeli team has gone before. But now the news that Wafer (ph) buses have banned teams from traveling to Israel, meaning that this team loses home advantage against an Italian club and will have to play at a neutral venue in another country. It's an unprecedented move that has angered the public and the players.

ISHTAVAN PISHONT, HAPOEL TEL AVIV: Today nothing has changed, you know. It's -- I mean still have the reason, still have a problem in the country, but in the past, you know, the teams came.

HANNA: But at no time in the past was the violence as widespread as it is now. Palestinian suicide bomb attacks like this in Jerusalem last weekend, an ever-present threat. The attack occurred at the same time as an important local soccer fixture, and Israel's Channel Two broadcast both events live side by side.

The decision provoked a public outcry, but it was an indication of how desperately Israelis are attempting to live normal lives amidst the conflict and how important soccer is in these attempts.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): With all the terrible things which are happening here at the moment, says Hapoel Tel Aviv player (UNINTELLIGIBLE), at least we are giving some happiness to the people of Israel.

HANNA: And the decision by Wafer (ph) not to play in Israel has implications beyond sports. CHEMI SHALEV, ISRAELI POLITICAL ANALYST: For the first time perhaps more graphically than before, it's being driven home how isolated Israel is, what -- how bad the situation here is, and how even the dearest things to Israelis, which right now is a football game, are being threatened by the current intifada and the situation.

HANNA: An attack by a Palestinian gunman on the late night Tel Aviv restaurant this week, claimed the lives of three Israelis and injured many others. Among those who had been in the restaurant were some of the Hapoel Tel Aviv players, including the goalkeeper (UNINTELLIGIBLE). He argues the attack is all the more reason why Wafer's (ph) decision not to play in Israel is wrong.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): This is surrendering to terror. You're showing they are winning the war here, he says. That's why I think this match must happen.

HANNA: The match will happen, but not in the stadium, not in Israel.

Mike Hanna, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com