Thursday, July 10, 2014

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Abd al-Rahman al-Jizawi

                  

                 

   A major national symbol for Palestine in the ‘20s was wrestler Abdel-Rahman al-Jizawi from Jaffa, who left the country for Chili when he was 20 years old. Upon his arrival, he met leaders of the Palestinian Youth Association, who took it upon themselves to introduce him to Chilean media and coaches. Al-Jizawi demonstrated great feats of strength—he was able to bend metal bars and challenged and defeated an Italian wrestler 20 kilograms above his weight class. His Arab fans went wild that day, carrying him on their shoulders and chanting, “Long live Palestine, Long live the Arabs, Long live Jizawi.” The wrestler was lauded in Chilean newspapers such as the well-known Los Tempos and his name soon became a household word. Filastin (established in 1911) published three letters which have been sent in 1926, 1927, and1928 by the Palestinian community in Chile.  In August 1928, Jizawi met with Chile’s foreign minister who admired his strength and skills.


Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Killing Hope: Why Israel Targets Sports in Gaza - by Dave Zirin

http://www.thenation.com/blog/171344/killing-hope-why-israel-targets-sports-gaza

 

   The answer is simple. Sports is more than loved in Gaza (and it is loved.) It’s an expression of humanity for those living under occupation. It’s not just soccer and it’s not just the boys. Everyone plays, with handball, volleyball and basketball joining soccer as the most popular choices. To have several thousand people gather to watch a girls sporting event is a way of life. It’s a community event designed not only to cheer those on the field, but cheer those in the stands. As one Palestinian man from Gaza said to me, “[Sports] is our time to forget where we are and remember who we are.”

Attacking the athletic infrastructure is about attacking the idea that joy, normalcy or a universally recognizable humanity could ever be a part of life for a Palestinian child. This is a critical for Israel both internationally and at home. 

 

  قتل الأمل : لماذا تستهدف إسرائيل الرياضة في غزة - بقلم ديف زيرين

 

   الإجابة بسيطة ، إن الرياضة أكثر من أنها محبوبة في غزة ، هي تعبير عن الانسانية من قبل هؤلاء الذين يعيشون تحت الاحتلال . هي ليست مجرد كرة قدم أو أولاد يلعبون ، فكل شخص يمارس كرة اليد والطائرة وكرة السلة ويستمتع بكرة السلة وكرة القدم التي هي منتشرة هناك. كما أن تجمع عدة آلاف من الناس ومشاهدتهم لحدث رياضي نسائي هو ليس فقط طريقة حياة ، ولكنه فرحة الذين يقفون في المدرجات. وكما قال لي شخص فلسطيني من غزة "إن الرياضة هي وقتنا الذي خلاله ننسى أين نحن وخلاله نتذكر من نحن."  إن الهجوم على المنشآت الرياضية هو مثل حرمان الطفل الفلسطيني من الفرح والسعادة ، وحرمانه من أن يكون عنده حياة عادية أو أن يعامل بإنسانية مثل بقية أطفال العالم