Haniyeh takes to soccer pitch

In honor of reopening of stadium damaged during Operation Cast Lead, Hamas leaders play friendly match with former Palestinian footballers. Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh expresses hopes of building stadium in Jerusalem as well
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While Fatah heads convened in Bethlehem on Friday, Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip made time to display their athletic skills on the soccer field.
The Strip's renovated soccer stadium was inaugurated on Friday, after being damaged during Israel's Operation Cast Lead inJanuary.
The event included a friendly soccer match between heads of the Hamas government and former Palestinian soccer players.
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(צילום: AFP)
Haniyeh going for a goal (Photo: AFP)
Hamas' Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh was among the politicians to participate in the game, but chose to dress more modestly and played in long pants.
The prime minister found himself facing the goal in at least one instance, but did not manage to score.
According to a Hamas website, Haniyeh also spoke at the event, saying the reopening of the stadium in Gaza brings with it a clear message that the Israeli siege on the Strip has failed and that it has actually even yielded the opposite results.
He expressed hope that the Palestinians will build many more soccer stadiums, including one in what he called the Palestinian capital of Jerusalem, once it is liberated.
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