Moshe (Shino) Zuares, IFA President, calls on everyone to adhere the values of football - brotherhood, solidarity, humanity – that we will truly all have a better new year. A year of peace and prosperity for the entire region
Dear teams, players, managers and fans,
As the year comes to an end and a new one is rising, I wish to thank each and every one of you for your blessed action and tremendous contribution for Israeli football and for the State of Israel. I seriously doubt any of us could have foreseen such a complex reality around us and yet we have come together and succeeded in rising to the hour. We were asked to muster enormous mental strength and civil resilience, and all along the way we made sure to maintain those values that are in the heart of each and every one of us.
As always, football will be for our association, for all of us, a way of connecting people, cultures and nations. Even in the darkest hours, even in times of war, football should contribute to the possibility of reconciliation, to a fresh new start, to create a better reality. Values of humanity, camaraderie, equality and nurturing future generations, either ours or others, will continue to lead Israeli football. Forever, this beautiful game will be in service of the general good.
My hand is always extended in a gesture of peace. even when there are those who aimed to harm us and prevent us from playing football, I made it crystal clear that we are more than willing to play anywhere and with any team to show everyone that there is another way. Even when the cannons are bellowing, my voice is loud and clear: we will never allow to use football for politics, segregation, inequality, exploitation, intimidation, impingement upon proper morality and the humanity that binds each and every one of us.
The football pitch has room for everyone, but those who feel superior and more worthy than others or wish to exploit football for political purposes. Football is far more than a good kick, an impressive header or an extraordinary dribble; it is based on values of fraternity, humanity, solidarity and inclusion.
The unique mosaic that makes up the Israeli society can be found in the dressing room, on the pitch and in the tribunes. Football contains a unifying hope for seeing an end to the war, moral values, love of humanity of any variant and an endless optimism that peace will come to our region. Each of the components of this mosaic has its own festivities, faiths and traditions and it is my great pride in the tolerance, mutual respect as well as partnership between all religions and ethnicities – Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druse, Circassian and others – all in one another’s festivities. Different parts that make up a fabulous whole.
I am proud to be an Israeli and to lead the Israeli football; I feel a deep commitment to emphasize in every opportunity my profound belief in generating a different and better reality by way of football. We should not make do with only wishing a happy new year, but be constantly vigilant, insist on humanity and compassion, seek any possible way to bring peace, thus ensuring that the new year will truly be a better one.
Shana Tova!