It was an night of kicks and camaraderie as 300 Jerusalemites — Arabs and Jews — got here collectively to celebrate Goals and Gates, a soccer occasion in honor of the World Cup recreation Monday night time.
Organized by Kulna Jerusalem and held on the Tower of David Museum, the traditional citadel on the entrance to Jerusalem’s Old City, the occasion was the primary of 4 aimed toward bringing the capital’s completely different populations collectively to celebrate a shared love of soccer.
Kulna Jerusalem, which suggests “we are all Jerusalem” in Arabic and Hebrew, was based in October 2016 by Arab and Jewish Jerusalemites who needed to advance coexistence within the metropolis by way of friendship, contact and cooperation. Their idea is to create alternatives for interplay, with occasions in Hebrew and Arabic, so that everybody can take part.
Last yr, hundreds of Jerusalemites participated in Kulna Jerusalem’s backgammon event between Jews and Arabs.
“It seemed to us only natural to go to the field, for the most popular game in the world,” stated Kulna co-founder Zaki Djemal. “We’re forming connections between East and West Jerusalem on the basis of our joint love of the game.”
Some capoeira strikes earlier than the large soccer recreation (Courtesy Ricky Rachman)
Monday night time’s soccer occasion included a penalty-kick contest, reside music, face portray and a giant display screen for watching Monday night time’s Spain vs. Morocco recreation, full with beanbag seats and bowls of sunflower seeds, the usual snack when watching soccer within the Middle East.
The occasion was an escape from the fixed tensions of the town, stated Djemal.
Mothers with youngsters, some ladies carrying hijabs, others carrying wigs in accordance with Orthodox Jewish regulation, mingled simply within the citadel courtyard as their kids ran round taking part within the numerous actions.
“We’ve discovered that people want to actually know more about about each other,” stated Eilat Lieber, director of the museum. “We know that the people of Jerusalem can really meet and talk although sometimes the political situation outside is difficult.”
Jerusalemites of all stripes participated in Kulna Jerusalem’s soccer occasion forward of Monday’s night time recreation (Courtesy Ricky Rachman)
The night started with a efficiency of capoeira, the Brazilian kind of martial arts carried out by a native group of youngsters and teenagers, and continued with a penalty-kick contest as eleven representatives tried to attain towards the goalie, a native skilled participant.
After a live performance of Andalusian music, the group got here collectively to observe the Spain vs. Morocco recreation, which led to a draw.
The Kulna cultural occasions, which happen periodically all year long, are important, stated Djemal.
Zaki Djemal, one of the founders behind Kulna Jerusalem, which makes an attempt to convey collectively native Arabs and Jews round cultural occasions (Courtesy Shlomi Yosef)
“Something about these sorts of interactions are particularly meaningful, because they facilitate trust,” stated Djemal, who also stated that he was motivated by his love of Jerusalem, a metropolis that's primarily segregated, with little lively interplay between Arabs and Jews. “I know I can make a difference in Jerusalem and was happens here can make a difference in the rest of the region. It is a way for me to interact with the broader conflict on a smaller scale.”
As the solar set towards the traditional stones of the citadel, the group relaxed on cushions and chairs to observe the sport beneath the starry Jerusalem sky.
Three extra Kulna Jerusalem occasions can be held through the World Cup semifinals on July 10 and 11, and for the ultimate recreation on July 15. Watch the Kulna Jerusalem Facebook web page for extra data.