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Gaza war sparks tensions for Israeli Arab soccer team By Moshe Boker and Moshe Harush Tags: israel news, gaza, soccer  Before the Israel Police and Israel Football Association decided yesterday to postpone the Toto Cup soccer match between Bnei Sakhnin and Kiryat Shmona, Sakhnin chairman Hassan Abu Saleh asked the IFA for guarantees his team would not be punished if fans make racist chants during his team's games. The quarterfinal match had been scheduled to be held today. No new date was set. "I have no problem holding games, but as long as the war in Gaza goes on there's no place for holding games in Sakhnin because of the sensitivity of the situation," Abu Saleh said. Advertisement During yesterday's practice, club heads talked with the team's Jewish players several times to allay their fears in light of the fierce antiwar protests held in the area Saturday. Avi Luzon, the IFA chairman, also moved up Wednesday's game between Ashdod S.C. and Maccabi Netanya from 7:45 P.M. to 5 P.M. Ashdod asked for the change to allow its players to return home earlier in the evening. The game will be held in the national stadium in Ramat Gan because Maccacbi's stadium is being resodded. The games must go on The chairman is also expected to make a decision about this weekend's games in the next day or two. Luzon, according to people familiar with the situation, thinks it's a must to hold the games this weekend, except for areas within rocket range, as long as police permission can be secured. The police and IFA reached an understanding yesterday that both first- and second-tier league games can go on as normal pending a final decision based on events in Gaza and the availability of police personnel. Related articles: IDF recommends major, but brief Gaza ground offensive Livni: Gaza truce would give Hamas legitimacy WATCH: Israeli ground assault in the Gaza Strip underway Gaza invasion won't be short, and it won't be easy Hamas: Gaza will become graveyard for Israeli troops Israel okays call-up tens of thousands of IDF reservists Hezbollah urges Hamas to 'kill as many Israeli soldiers as they can' during Gaza op EU presidency: Israel ground op in Gaza 'defensive not offensive' Tens of thousands rally across Europe against Israel's Gaza offensive Bookmark to del.icio.us   Haute advice Sarkozy tells Peres IDF Gaza op does not strengthen Abbas. W speaks Bush says Israel has right to protect itself against Gaza attacks.

Read & React Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff: How much time does the IDF have left in Gaza? Responses: 70 Sarkozy: Hamas to blame for suffering of Palestinians in Gaza Responses: 47 Amira Hass: Wounded Gaza family lay bleeding for 20 hours Responses: 78 'We lost our homes for nothing,' says reservist from former Gaza settlement Responses: 59 Amir Oren: What's happening in Gaza is neither war nor occupation Responses: 33 More Headlines 22:40 Israeli troops trade heavy fire with Hamas gunmen in northern Gaza 23:51 Sarkozy tells Peres: IDF Gaza operation does not strengthen Abbas 23:53 Bush: Israel has right to protect itself against Gaza attacks 23:00 Demonstrators cry 'nuke Israel,' carry Hezbollah flags at U.S. anti-Israel rallies 23:52 Two Israelis wounded by Gaza mortars in western Negev 21:05 U.S. to foil any Arab bid to push Security Council resolution for Gaza cease-fire 23:51 Gaza War Diary III: If Mexico shelled Texas, like Hamas shells Israel 22:30 Iran: We have 70,000 suicide bombers ready to strike Israel 23:51 Israel arrests newsman with Iranian TV for prematurely reporting on IDF entry into Gaza 20:19 ANALYSIS / Egypt emerges as big winner from Gaza crisis 18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 18:21 PICTURE GALLERY / Gaza incursion sparks protests around world 23:10 Amira Hass / For 48 hours, gunbattles kept wounded Gaza family from medical aid 16:35 Livni: Israel will no longer show restraint when attacked 21:42 Over 2,000 take to streets of Haifa to protest IDF Gaza operation 21:17 The Guardian publishes obituary of Hamas terror chieftain killed by IAF 18:22 IDF shell kills Palestinian family of seven near Gaza City 18:21 Mauritania recalls ambassador from Israel in wake of Gaza offensive 13:40 Court orders home of Jerusalem yeshiva terrorist sealed off 14:37 Hamas official: We must lay foundation for a tomorrow without Zionists 21:02 ANALYSIS / How much time is left for the IDF to operate in Gaza? 14:51 Netivot mayor demands to have pre-school centers in bomb shelters 16:58 9/11 plotter ordered bombing of Tunisia synagogue, French prosecutors say Previous Editions Select Day 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 29 dec 28 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec

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