When Hatikvah is played in the capital of an Arab country

by Avi Abelow
422 views

When Israel’s national anthem is played in the capital of an Arab country, it is definitely noteworthy! Can this help bring peace between Jews and Arabs?

If you are viewing this on facebook mobile and the video does not appear because of a fb glitch, just click on the three dots in the top right corner and choose the “open in browser” option to see the video.

In the Capital of an Arab Country…

In the capital of an Arab country, any Arab country, you would not expect Hatikvah to be played. But in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Israel’s national anthem was played for the second time! Israel’s own Alon Leviev became the world champion in jiu-jitsu. He won the medal in his category. Last year, when Israeli Sagi Muki won the gold medal in Abu Dhabi’s Judo Grand Slam, Hatikvah was also played. That was the first time ever.

A lot of Arab countries try to boycott Israel and will not even allow Israelis to participate in sports. It is completely antisemitic and should always be condemned. And just like it should be condemned when countries mix sports and politics, it should be commended when countries play fairly. Not only did Abu Dhabi play fairly, but playing Hatikvah after Alon Leviev won shows respect for Israel and the Jewish people.

Can Sports be a Bridge for Peace?

Maybe sports can be a bridge for peace between Jews and Arabs. It allows for similarities to shine through instead of differences. Sports allow competitors to put aside everything that separates them and to just compete for the sake of sports. And maybe that can be the road toward a better and brighter future.

Video Credit: Simon Arann


Leave a Comment

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More