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Sto caricando le informazioni... More Noble Than War: A Soccer History of Israel-Palestinedi Nicholas Blincoe
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By turns tragic and hopeful, the history of Israel and Palestine through the lens of the world's most popular sport. Football has never been shy of politics. This is especially true for Israel and Palestine. A sport introduced by Victorian churchmen swiftly became a vehicle for nationalism and pride. Under British military rule, Jewish and Palestinian teams competed in the same leagues, not only on the pitch, but in smoky committee rooms and street corners, as the two communities fought for control of the sport. After the creation of Israel in 1948, Palestinian football survived among refugees, with Jordan's greatest side hailing from the poorest of the camps on the fringes of the capital. In recent years, Israel's dynamic Premier League has seen some of the country's best teams and players emerge from the Palestinian community - inspiring hope that football might help Arabs and Jews become friends and equals. Meanwhile, in the West Bank and Gaza, a series of shock wins by a new Palestinian national side saw Palestine climb the FIFA rankings, making football the one field where Palestinians could compete with pride on a world stage, as one nation among the others. This is a vibrant and often shocking story filled with driven, even ferocious people who are inspired by nationalism as much as a love of the game. There are many sacrifices, as brilliant teams are scattered by wars, side-lined through boycotts, and stories of players arrested, expelled, driven to hunger strikes, and beaten or shot. It is a story not simply of Jewish-Arab rivalry, but also of the deep fracture lines within each community. In this unusual history of the world's most intractable conflict, Nicholas Blincoe sets out to ask: is it hopelessly romantic to think of football as a level playing field, governed by sportsmanship and the love of the game? Or will it always be just another space to be fought over and polluted? Non sono state trovate descrizioni di biblioteche |
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 Google Books — Sto caricando le informazioni...GeneriSistema Decimale Melvil (DDC)796.334095694The arts Recreational and performing arts Athletic and outdoor sports and games Ball sports Inflated ball driven by the foot Football Biography And History AsiaClassificazione LCVotoMedia: (4)
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More Noble Than War: A Soccer History of Israel-Palestine by Nicholas Blincoe traces the history of soccer in this small region of the world. Mr. Blincoe has written for radio and television, as well as several novels.
I have long ago realized that many things are more than they seem, and that politics seem to be encroaching on every aspect of our life. From schools, to the arts, and of course to sports. It is even more prominent in a part of the world where the politics are as divisive as ever.
The first thing I noticed in More Noble Than War: A Soccer History of Israel-Palestine by Nicholas Blincoe is that the author does not shy away from difficult and awkward historical or political issues. The second thing I noticed is that he is squarely in the Palestinians’ corner. That is fine, but I thought I’d mention it since the title could be misleading. To the author’s credit, he gives a bit of history about himself at the start of the book, informing the reader that he is married to a Palestinian woman (film director Leila Sansour) and lives, at least part time, in Bethlehem (the tile ” More Noble Than War ” is based on a chant Palestinian soccer fans use).
One would think from the book will mirror the structure of a soccer game, two teams against one another. But like many situations, this is a simplified scenario and the author does well to stay away from that false narrative, which is popular simply because it’s easy to understand. Much like the region’s history, the history of soccer in the area is complex and reflects the interest of the rich and powerful, much like it is today.
The book, however, did not go either here or there. It touches on the way special interests manipulated the sport, and touches on the passion that fans and activists feel – but doesn’t dive into either. The author also seems to harp over the crimes committed by Israel (actual crimes, like murder of Palestinians by citizens), but totally gloss over the Palestinian crimes.
The book shines when Mr. Blincoe goes to field (literally and figuratively), watching games, navigating Palestine and Israeli roads and traffic, and interviews those who control the teams. I would even say that the book can be divided between Blincoe the historian and Blincoe the reporter, each of them deserves their own separate book. (