An article in today's LA Times offers a ray of hope in a land beleaguered by conflict with the re-introduction of local soccer (football) matches.
As the quote in the diary title suggests, the matches are seen by some as a reassuring sign, albeit a small one, of a future return to normalcy.
According to the article there are more than 300 clubs in the Palestinian territories with more than 250 in the West Bank and over 50 in Gaza. But most are sponsored by political groups with Hamas and Fatah being chief. So when the conflict erupted between the two groups the matches were an early victim of the fighting.
Now, in what some hope will prove to be a baby step toward Palestinian reconciliation, Fatah and Hamas have agreed to settle their differences, at least on the soccer field.
After a three-year dry spell, during which Gaza soccer fans had to settle for rooting for Egypt or Barcelona on TV, the Palestinian Football Assn. held its first match in March: Al Shate versus Rafah, two of Gaza's most popular teams. It was the opener of 240 games now scheduled in Gaza, leading up to July playoffs.
The sport may indeed now play a role, as has happened in the past elsewhere, that could allow for a broader political reunification between the conflicting factions.
"From now on, we hope to keep politics out of the sport," Abu Salim said. He said the compromise on soccer matches might even create a foundation for broader reconciliation.
"We know we can't solve all of the political problems," he said. "But maybe soccer will bridge the gap."
Let us hope so.