Why would a European championship be held in Israel anyway?

The Likud led government and its policies have been a disaster for our country's standing in the world. Stupid decisions like expanding settlements following Palestine's recognition in the UN is exactly what is isolating Israel and justifying "apartheid state" accusations. For the future of the country I love, I hope the Israeli electorate is smart enough to put the country back into the hands of responsible leadership on the left/center. Otherwise, the Palestinians will win without even trying.

most of them muslims, irrelevent.

Israel did NOT stage an offensive into Gaza as stated by the article on the UEFA decision to have Israel host the tournament. It was put on the DEFENSIVE by continued rocket attacks from Gaza. If inaccurate language is used, of course the world doesn't understand Israel's very real need to defend itself!

What a damn hypocrite. He has no qualms about playing for a Chinese team, even though the Chinese regime has a terrible record on human rights. Yet when the Israelis finally responded to years of rocket attacks from Gaza, now he wants them punished. How much more proof could possibly be needed that all this hand-wringing and crocodile tears is based on nothing other than flat-out racism...and not some high-flow humanitarian ideals?

See list http://www.kanoute.com/EUROPEAN-FOOTBALLERS-DECLARE-SUPPORT-FOR-PALESTINE_ad-id!35-l!en.ks I wouldn't call them leading footballers, no Rooney or Messi or Bale etc. Are any of them not Muslims? Do any of them have problems with Qatar hosting 2022 World Cup, like the rest of the World has?

Israel competes in the European region because it's the closest region that will take us. The Mideast boycotts us, I am guessing Africa does the same. Such is sportsmanship in our neck of the woods... This is also why Israel is the only country in the world ineligible to serve on the security council. States with dictators do; we cannot.

Obviously too many headers have affected their brains.

Because, #1, Israel is a member of UEFA, so it is one of the places in which it is appropriate to hold a UEFA championship. It's not really that complicated. (Oh, why is Israel a member of UEFA and not the Asian group? Use your Google, James. Hint: racist Arab boycott.)

Because Israel got kicked out of the Asian Football Conference because Arab Countries refuse to play them, the European Football Association adopted them kind of like Oceania did in the late 80s

Like we really care what these, fake, football players think? More stupid jocks trying to put two thoughts together that make any sense: yeah, good luck with that. IDIOTS!!!

You ask why a European chanpionship would be held in Israel? Because we are in the league and can bid to host these events, just as the Toronto Blue Jays are in MLB AL.

One thing is for sure, as predicted, that Israel will bring out the degeneracy of the world, by it's historical claims to it's homeland. Imagine how 1,000's of unprovoked bombs from Hamas is no concern to these defenders of murderous Muslims. Those who blame Bibi are playing along with the Jew-hatred of these fools. The only criticism that can be leveled at Bibi, is that he has been afflicted by the pressure, and stops short of the only way to talk with Hamas murderers, by killing them all.

he should not be allowed in Israel in any way as for the rest of the losers who signed that protest statement, they should not be allowed to exist as well

ALL, 99% ARE MUSLIMS AND AFRICAN BLACKS.

It's what you call "soccer"

Israel is a full member in European basket ball competition , in football [ soccer ] , and Eurovision to name a few . It's not only because we are boycotted by our neighboors , but also because we are considered and appreciated as a Western developped country .

Would love to know the extent of the players' historical knowledge of the conflict.

to the world. If they don't know, its our own fault.

The world's confused. Bibi has not stated Israel's case clearly. Golda Meir said it correctly , there is no Palestinian people. There are Jews and Arabs.

Maybe they should come here and spend a night or two in Sderot or on one of the Moshavim or Kibbutzim in the South and see what our people had to contend with for so many years - otherwise they have no right to make a comment at all!!!!!

Michel Platini has made a right decision at the right time!

Please, someone could give a hint where the names of these soccers, sorry, soccer players, appear?? if they are so proud, I would like to take a look and pick their names...thanks!

There are two things Israel can learn from the arabs. The first is media manipulation, the arabs are masters of it and no matter what they do they always come out of it looking like the good guys. If the palestinians nuke Tel Aviv and still come out of it like they were the victims, Israel just doesn't know the first thing about media manipulation. The second thing we do bad is negotiate. The arabs stand firm by their demands no matter how long it takes and we set red lines and we cross red line after red line. Once the just thinking about dividing Jerusalem was an unpardonable sin. Today at least 50% of israelis on the left & centre are more than willing to give it up, to many the Mount Hermon ski resort is the holy place we shouldn't give up. The idea of right of return, once that was non ROR Under Barak it became a couple of thousands under Olmert that increased to 5000-15,000, how many more will we allow if we keep crossing red lines?. As long as we keep compromising we look like bad guys when negotiations stall and the arabs who just demand well their stance hasn't changed so we must be the problem. We are very good at fighting back but always come out of it looking bad because we are the ones with the big guns. Iron Dome actually harmed Israel's image even further because now did we not only have bombs which the arabs didn't but we could defend ourselves from the few weapons they do have. TIME TO LEARN A FEW TRICKS FROM THE ARABS

post an article from the Associated Press? Those so called journalists are well documented Israel bashers. Ynet, why don't you try a bit harder and report the facts?! In regards to the soccer players (they are not football players), they can kiss my a@# and no, they are not welcome in Israel!

laureates! Same antisemitic chicken-brains!!