How do they dare ? Are they not ashamed ? I'm sure that those who were insulting this player are the first ones to condemn antisemite acts in France , or elsewhere . So be "clean" yourself . Your club should be punished for your behaviour .

those people are the monkeys... i wish that wont happen again.. this is extremly dangerous for theIsrael's democracy to allow those kind of racists feelings be spread like that and also not proprerly fight. He is completly right and there should be officials condamning those kind of insults in Israel!

dont let a few assholes ruin your outlook...i am sure u will find the vast majority of people here are really ok

My uncle used to play for this team and so it really pained me to read about this. And while these racist taunts are absolutely unconscionable, it doesn't represent the feelings of a vast majority of Israelis. Unfortunately, there seems to be a particularly nasty streak among too many soccer fans the world over. I don't know why, but it seems to bring out the worst in some people, but that's still no excuse for Israelis to indulge in such offensive behavior.

great article, There is racism in all football leagues, Italy , Spain, England, France, Germany, Brazil, Argentina, and it is sad! We need to uproot the matter, Let any racist fans be ejected from the stadium. it is important to clean up the sport. Look a lot of young kids are playin and watching the game, its not right to show this to young kids. We need to address the problems and punish fans that conduct themselves wrongly. Matches should be played in closed doors if fans cant behave. More fines on clubs should be instilled, and point deduction. We need to fight racism, clean up clubs and promote a family and friendly atmosphere for the better good of the game and the country.

Racists are monkeys. Because humans don't discriminate against other humans based solely on the color of their skin. I am Maccabi TA fan and I feel ashamed for the fellow fans!!

shame on those racist fans how can we be racist in our country !

Why am I not surprised? Racism in Israel is far more deep rooted and multi-layered than one can imagine. Having immigrated there in the early 1970s, I have witnessed and felt this first hand. For whatever reason, we are Jews while in the diaspora, but after making Aliya, you become (and are called) a Russian/Moroccan/Yemenite/Tunisian, etc. My son grew up in Israel, and was constantly taunted while attending elementary school, being called "Kushi" (similar to the "N" word here in the US). The school staff thought he was making a big deal out of it. His school principal's response was "Az mah?" (so what?) Israelis firmly believe that they are "Aam Sgula" (a chosen people), and a light unto the nations. Boy, how wrong can they be? Just look at the mess they live in....rampant corruption, juvenile violence, organized crime, total disrespect for the rule of law, and an inept government. Although, I must add they are the first to cry "Anti-Semitism" when criticized abroad.

Sad but very true, not to mention racist slurs again israeli-arab players.. which ynet did nto bother reporting as racist

In a true democracy, there are laws against this and peopel can go to jail. Unfortunatly, racism against arabs & black is israel is widespread

Being a Jew is not a curse, its a shame you think so. Not only do we have a great and beautiful and strong country, but we also survive all our enemies, they fall one after the other. Open your eyes!

There are racists everywhere. I am told its rampant in Soccer around the world. Its wrong. Please dont think its representative of the Jewish people. the majority are peace loving pluralistic people. Everyone has some bad apples. As an American Jew I am very proud of the melting pot of Israel of all the tribes coming together: Sephardi, Ashekanzi, Religious, Secular, lost tribes, Ethiopean. It may be be perfect, but it is vibrant and representative of the best and worst of us, mostly the best. That doesnt even include the non Jews in Israel of whom there are many. I hope you see the best in us and try to ignore the worst. I apologize for the worst.

I am ashamed of the idiot racists. You are welcome in Israel and most Israelis think racists at the soccer games are a NATIONAL DISGRACE. Please continue to speak up. I support you 100%.

While I think it's disgraceful if your son was taunted because of his ethnic background, it's not quite correct to say that the term "Kushi" is the equivalent of the "N word" in this country. While Kushi is a racial term, it doesn't have the same history as the other word since, thankfully, Kushim were never lynched in Israel, and while they may have been the victims of a certain amount of discrimination, it never descended to the level that it did in America. In fact, America had such a sordid history of racism that during World War II, the Nazi prisoners of war were treated far better than our black G.I.s.

If you listen to the words of Yannick Kamanan you will see he is a good man! A man who wanted to see new experiences and give new cultures a chance and this is how he is treated?? Like this??? And the hypocrisy that the fans would give him flowers afterwards and then do it all over again!!!! What is this that soccer fans all over the world, from Israel to Europe to South America, are a bunch of racists??? If the rest of the world has to have racist soccer fans fine, but not in Israel! I agree with what everyone is saying here! Racists are the real monkeys! People who want to come and be welcomed must be welcomed and must be treated well! It is so weird how only a few days ago there is an article about black Sudanese refugees living a great life in the Israeli kibbutzim where racism is not even heard of, and then an article like this comes up? What is this, bipolar disorder affecting a whole nation? Shame on these fans!! If I were back in Israel right now I would be sending flowers and chocolates and apologies and many more things...

Racism has nothing to do with Soocer/Footbal. It is what is inside of you. Anyone can be a racist. Even a jew. Israelis making fun of other cultures is nothing new. I've seen it with my own eyes, then they will whine when others try to attack them. Hypocrits.

Your response seems to be typical. First, you claim that "Kushi" is not actually derogatory, then you claim other countries are worse. In the US, you would get into serious trouble for using the "N" word, and very rightly so. "Kushi" is the EQUIVALENT to the "N" word, and no amount of twisting the facts can change that. The word "Kush" in the Bible refers to East Africa. "Kushi" was referred to (in Biblical times) as someone from that part of the world. Today, as we both know, the word in Israel is used in a derogatory manner. A continuum to the Yiddish word "Schwartze Chaaye." I am sure that reading the Hebrew newspapers you are aware of many instances where army officers recently got into serious trouble for using that word at soldiers of Ethiopian origin. If the word is as innocent as you describe, why would they make such a big deal out of it?

I am ashamed of my people, the Israeli society has made a continuous descent into moral decline.

When I first visited Israel I saw a different country then I imagined. I was brought up to think Jews are Jews and colour did not exist amongst our brothers and sisters but I was shocked at the way some Israelis are racist. When a non-Jewish man of colour has the courage to play in Israel my heart is warmed by his choice. To read of his treatment saddens me to no end. These garbage Israelis should not discount the good Jewish Israelis that reside in the tiny country of survivors. These evil Israelis are no better then Peace Now or another group that despise their country. My heart is with Yannick Kamanan. Please stay and show them you heart, soul and strength!!!

Racist chants are only racist if they come with actions. Black, white, brown, green, its all the same. If Yannick was playing for maccabi he would be loved just like any other player. He plays for herzlia, so he is hated just like every other player, the noises aer only to bother him during the soccer game. He is equal to anyone else in Israel for skill or intelligence or anything. On the soccer field you try to bother the other teams players any way you can to help your team win. Nobody in Betar's fans calls Boateng a monkey, nobody in hapoel's fans calls Dego a monkey, but you know that the other team's fans always will. There is a very big difference between booing the other team and really treating him bad personally, outside of the soccer field, just because of his skin. The first is just soccer, the second is a real racist and is not representative of israel. Fans should never treat any black skinned person any differently than a white skinned person. But they can try to bother him during the game, then enjoy coffee and talk to him as a person after. It's only soccer.

He is more aware of what this country represents than half of the Israelis we all know. He got that although this is not the light of men, but that is the place where we should chase to be better than what we faced, specially in terms of racism. What about his team mates and other teams making one minute of silence against racism in the football? It was done in Europe as a way to say: ENOUGH

Im an israeli arab. We are all victims of racsim , but footabll player are victims with lots of money.

It should be banned or played to empty stadiums and put on pay to watch t.v.

FC Lionheart Palace. We are a clean squad. I am the Manager. www.fclionheartpalace.com

ones who chanted those disgusting things, that should be clear to everyone. As with all teams, there is a bad element in Macabbi that needs to be kept out of the stadiums, the police needs to start recording them and getting their names. To John from New Zealand, I doubt very much most Macabbi fans will be reading Ynet in English, the talkbacks to this article in Hebrew will surely contain some fans who are unhappy with their fellow "fans."

Unfortunately most of what you say is true, albeit not as extreme as you make it sound. In recent years many people came to this country, making the citizens more aware of the outer world. Racism still exists here, it is ugly and disgusting, but not more so than in most of the world, including Arab countries (Darfur for instance) or European (similar racist slurs in football stadiums in Germany, Spain, etc). But specifically regarding your post, something is strange to me: your post starts with "WE are Jews while in the diaspora", but ends with "THEY are the first to cry "Anti-Semitism" when criticized abroad". Why the inconsistency? Do you view yourself as a "sometimes-Jew"?

at the black members of their own team!!!! never mind the opposition. it took many years for the british soccer organisations and the clubs to do something about it. now i think teams lose points, have to play in a closed stadium (ie no fans) etc for breaches of rules. eg racisism, fan violence etc.