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Soccer / 'Violence will not spread onto pitches' By Moshe Boker Tags: soccer, Sakhnin, israel Genaim vows to uphold coexistence but refuses to apologize for his politics In recent years, Bnei Sakhnin and Mazen Genaim, the team's former chairman and currently the town of Sakhnin's new mayor, were the primary symbols of co-existence between Jews and Arabs in Israel, albeit sometimes shaky ones. But Genaim, who is considered a moderate, has become the subject of much criticism by the Israeli media for some inflammatory remarks he made against Israel on Saturday, when he spoke to 100,000 Israeli Arabs protesting against its operation in Gaza. "I wish for the residents of Gaza that they will stand up to the Israeli occupation machine," he was quoted by the Israeli press as telling the protesters at the rally held in his hometown Sakhnin. "Long live Palestine, with its capital Jerusalem. Long live the shaheeds." A transcript of the speech confirms that Genaim did say these things, save for the part about the shaheeds. Rather, he said a familiar phrase in Arabic relating to all Arab fatalities in general. On Sunday Genaim sounded upset when he spoke to Haaretz about the matter, saying that he was an avowed supporter of co-existence but also refusing to retract his statement. "What they did to me in the Israeli press is an outrage and disgusting," he responded. "For years I made a huge contribution to co-existence and after 15 years of serving the public they want to ruin my reputation in a day." Advertisement So you didn't show support for shaheeds? Genaim: "Absolutely not. I was raised on ideals of co-existence and no political position will change me. Anyone who thinks I or my politics have changed because I'm mayor now is full of rubbish. Whatever I had to say - I always said it aloud and without any shame. I have the courage to speak my mind freely. I was aggrieved and I will sue for libel. Al Jazeera aired my speech and the whole world saw it." So what did you say in the speech? "I said I was against firing rockets at Israel and against the attacks on Gaza. That's legitimate [criticism]." Why did you take part in the protest? "I did not decide to hold the protest in Sakhnin. It was the Arab Higher Monitoring Committee's decision and I had to participate as a committee member and as mayor." The club from the Israeli Arab town in the northern Galilee has been the sole representative of the Israeli Arab community in top-flight national soccer for years. During that time Bnei Sakhnin had its fair share of successes, finishing in the top half of the table a number of times and winning the State Cup in 2004. Its team consists of Jewish, Muslim, Druze and Christian players. Maccabi Haifa's Abbas Suan, who grew up at Bnei Sakhnin and was one of its key players, was summoned to the Israeli national team and became a national hero when he scored a last-minute goal against Ireland in a 2006 World Cup qualifier. At the same time, its fans have often chanted slogans against Israel at matches. Also, they have been involved in a number of violent incidents, most notably during matches against Beitar Jerusalem, which is associated with the Jewish right. Incidents such as those have been used by some on the Jewish right to show the alleged increasing radicalization of Israeli Arabs against the State of Israel. But Genaim is not worried that Saturday's protest or his remarks may have fanned such fears among Israel's Jewish community. Are you sorry that the protest took place? "I don't want to pander to anyone and I won't say I'm sorry. Instead of having the Israeli media respect the rally that brought out 100,000 people who behaved in a civil manner, with no violence and alongside a few hundred Jews, they wanted headlines. I've always spoken my mind without fearing anyone. Mazen Genaim is still the same person." Jewish players' fear Since the start of the operation in Gaza, Sakhnin's multicultural squad has been deeply affected by the heated sectarian sentiments in the country. Its Jewish players have said they are scared to show up for practice in the Israeli Arab city, fears that Genaim categorically dismisses as being offensive. "What's with this rubbish?" he asks, referring to phone calls by the parents of Sakhnin's Jewish players, concerning fears that they might be hurt if they show up for practice. "What have we come to? Does someone really think that Jewish players playing for Bnei Sakhnin will be hurt by locals? Such questions and fears hurt me. For years Jews have been playing for Sakhnin and have been treated with respect. It hurts that we've come to this." As someone deeply familiar with soccer and the Arab community, would you recommend the Israel Football Association hold matches this coming weekend as scheduled? "I urge Avi Luzon, the IFA chairman, to hold the matches as planned. I promise nothing will happen: The match will be sportsmanlike, fair and with no violence." What about the rest of the matches? "I can only vouch for Sakhnin." Bookmark to del.icio.us   'With total determination' Widow of IDF soldier killed Monday remembers her fallen hero. Anti-Semites unite! Protests against Gaza op worldwide have had a hateful, violent tone.

Read & React Bradley Burston / Gaza War Diary III: If Mexico shelled Texas, like Hamas shells Israel Responses: 151 At least 30 die in strike on Gaza school; IDF: Troops fired in self-defense Responses: 103 ANALYSIS / Israel is on its way to reoccupying all of the Gaza Strip Responses: 32 ANALYSIS / Price of stubborness over Gaza exit is dead Israeli soldiers Responses: 59 More Headlines 02:12 Abbas at UN calls for Gaza truce, fresh peace talks 01:51 Israel to establish 'humanitarian corridor' for Gaza Strip 01:55 Egypt's Gaza truce plan: ceasefire followed by border security talks 00:21 IDF shell kills 30 in Gaza UN school; Israel mulls appeal over Hamas fire from UN facilities 22:47 Obama breaks silence on Gaza, calls civilian deaths 'a deep concern' 23:03 Al-Qaida No. 2 urges Muslims to attack Israeli and Western targets over Gaza op 23:50 Five Israeli soldiers killed in 24 hours, as IDF closes in on Gaza cities 23:42 French TV claims photos from 2005 showed damage from Israel's Gaza operation 16:21 Gaza rocket hits Gedera, 30km from Tel Aviv; baby lightly hurt 17:12 ANALYSIS / Price of stubborness over Gaza exit is dead soldiers 18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 00:22 'You'll be proud of me, yet' slain IDF soldier told family before entering Gaza 21:45 The view from Ramallah / An Intifada in its infancy? 22:19 Turkey-Israel basketball game canned after pro-Gaza protesters storm court 14:37 ANALYSIS / Israel is on its way to reoccupying all of the Gaza Strip 19:17 'Iran pledged Hezbollah won't respond to Gaza op,' says top Lebanese MP 18:39 Jewish and Arab students clash on Gaza offensive 13:06 ANALYSIS / The unspoken goal of bringing down Hamas in Gaza 20:07 Hospitalized but defiant, Israeli soldiers eager to return to Gaza battle 13:40 Israeli general: Never knew I was evacuating my wounded soldier son from Gaza 13:00 Burning car rams synagogue in southwest France 13:46 Egypt bars doctors from entering Gaza Strip 05:44 Hamas puts Gazans in danger by drawing IDF into urban warfare 18:21 PICTURE GALLERY / Gaza incursion sparks protests around world Previous Editions Select Day 06 jan 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 29 dec 28 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec

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