Gaza soccer team to host West Bank for first time in 15 years

The Israeli office in charge of movement said that al-Ahly's travel had been approved but did not comment whether there was a change of heart or a delay in issuing the team's travel permit

By REUTERS

AUGUST 4, 2015 19:23

Updated: AUGUST 4, 2015 19:32

Soccer [Illustrative] (photo credit: INIMAGE) — Soccer [Illustrative]

(photo credit: INIMAGE)

A Palestinian team from the Gaza Strip will host West Bank opposition for the first time in 15 years on Thursday after Israel gave the visitors permission to cross its territory for the clash between the two lands' respective cup holders.

The Gaza Strip's Shejaia and al-Ahly from Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank will play in a fixture that appeared in doubt before the permit granted by Israel, whose territory separates Gaza and the West Bank.

The return leg in Hebron is scheduled for Aug. 9 and the winners of the Palestine Cup will play in the next Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup.

Prior to al-Ahly's arrival in Gaza on Tuesday, Palestinian officials said Israel was blocking the team's entry. They had originally been expected to enter Gaza on Monday.

Gaza sports official Abdel-Salam Haniyeh said Israel appeared to have relented under international pressure and a complaint by the Palestine FA (PFA) to world soccer's governing body FIFA.

The Israeli office that oversees movement in and out of Gaza told Reuters that al-Ahly's travel had been approved but did not comment whether there was a change of heart or a delay in issuing the team's travel permits.

Haniyeh said the match was a milestone for Palestinian soccer and could lead to unified competitions for Gaza and West Bank teams. Palestinians want the two territories to be part of a future independent state, together with East Jerusalem.

"This is an achievement for the Palestinian sports family and is a first step towards a unified Palestinian league and cup tournament," Haniyeh told Reuters at a lavish reception for the West Bank visitors at a Gaza hotel.

"I am full of honor and pride, this is the first time I have ever visited Gaza and I can't find the words to describe my feelings," al-Ahly forward Khaldon al-Halman told Reuters.

Israel took all three territories in a 1967 war. It quit Gaza in 2005 but maintains a partial blockade of the territory ruled by the Islamist Hamas group. Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008. A ceasefire has prevailed since August 2014 following a 50-day conflict.

At the annual FIFA Congress in May, Palestine threatened to call for a vote for Israel's suspension from world soccer but it dropped its motion at the last minute and FIFA agreed to send observers to monitor the situation.

The PFA has complained that Israel restricts the movement of players and officials to and from the Palestinian territories.

Israel cites security concerns for the restrictions, although it says it has eased travel recently.