Arab Israeli Club Makes Soccer History
and Sets Example of Tolerance

May 19 , 2004

Historic Victory The soccer team of Bnei Sakhnin made sporting history on Tuesday night when it became the first Israeli Arab soccer club to win the State Cup (Israeli soccer championship) by beating Hapoel Haifa 4:1 at the Ramat Gan national stadium. The team includes Jews, Christians, Muslims and foreigners. In front of 35,000 spectators - the majority supporting Bnei Sakhnin, a town with a population of 21,300 - Haifa led 1-0 at half-time but Avi Danan, Lior Asulin and Gavriel Lima all scored during the second half to seal the victory. The win guarantees that Bnei Sakhnin will represent Israel in the European soccer championship in 2004-2005.

Sakhnin captain Abbas Suan lifts the Israeli Cup (©Getty Images)

News of Bnei Sakhnin was broadcast on Al-Jazeera, and on Jordanian and Egyptian TV networks.

Sharon Congratulations
Israeli President Moshe Katzav presented Sakhnin captain Abbas Suan with the trophy and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon telephoned Sakhnin chairman Mazen Ghnaim to say: "I am sure you will represent Israel with honor in Europe." Suan agreed: "We proudly represented the country today on its biggest stage and we intend to do that with even more pride in Europe next year."

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon pledged NIS 7 million to go towards the construction of a new stadium for the team.

'Example to World'
Israel Football Association chairman Itche Menahem added: "I have seen many finals but I cannot remember anything like this. The coexistence shown here today should be an example to the rest of the world. A team which consists of Jews, Christians, Muslims and foreigners representing an Arab town could act as bridge for peace."