Co-existence? They'll have none of that in Wales

An exhibit in Cardiff meant to celebrate peace through football was abruptly shuttered, following "complaints". The Cardiff library was hosting the photographic exhibit, meant to show how sports builds bridges across political divides in advance of Sundays Wales vs Israel game at Cardiff City Stadium.

Photographers Gad Salner and Vadim Tarasov highlighted  Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities playing together throughout Israel  lower-league football throughout Israel.

From the Daily Mail:

The project, created by photographers Gad Salner and Vadim Tarasov, records how football can bring rival communities together. It has previously been displayed at the Guardian offices.

The photography project focuses on lower-league football throughout Israel, emphasising how Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities come together through the beautiful game.
One example is the Betar Nordia Football Club in Jerusalem, a small, fan-owned club that promotes diversity and sportsmanship, while opposing violence and racism in football. The club’s Jewish participants play alongside their Arab Muslim and Christian colleagues.

'From forgotten Arab villages in the north to dusty Jewish neighborhoods in the south, we visit places where the seemingly ever-present tension between cultures evaporates, and where diversity is embraced, encouraged and celebrated,' said the photographers in a statement.

Judith Woodman, leader of the opposition at Cardiff Council, called the censorship
"a disgraceful reflection on our city."

Read it all here.

“Football should Unite and not divide”

“Football should Unite and not divide”

Sepp Blatter, the president of FIFA has met with both Palestinian and Israeli authorities this week in an effort to stop the politicizing of football in the region. Palestinians are attempting to get Israel suspended from the association, and want the matter put to a vote at the upcoming FIFA Congress

Blatter met with the Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and President of the Palestinian Football Association  Jibril Al Rajoub and with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the President of the Israel Football Association  Ofer Eini.

“I had constructive meetings with the Palestine political and football authorities," said FIFA President Blatter. "We all agree football should unite not divide. I came on a mission for peace – football should foster peace and leave politics aside. Based on my talks over the last two days, I remain confident, despite the challenging situation, that we should be able to find a solution in the interests of football and all parties involved ahead of the Congress."

Blatter  has spoken out against suspending the Israeli Football Association, saying such a move would set a "dangerous precedent".

"This is not football. That's why I'm on a peace mission."  He has proposed a “peace match” between Palestinian and Israeli teams. Netanyahu welcomed the idea but it was rejected by Rajoub

In the meanwhile, migrant workers in Qatar, building a stadium for FIFA's 2022  World Cup are dying at the rate of 1 every 2 days and the world remains silent.