The following article concerns an odd little affair between two Israeli soccer clubs, one from Ashdod and one from Upper Nazareth. I have translated and posted the article to demonstrate how quickly a church in Israel/Palestine is prepared to involve the massive Vatican juggernaut in a minor, local dispute.
The following is my own translation from the original Ma'ariv article.
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Christian leaders suggest that Nazareth turn to the Vatican
Despite apologies from Ashdod, the “poster affair” refuses to die. The head of the [soccer] club confirmed that the church in the neighboring city agreed to finance the raising of the match. The players have retreated on their threat of a strike and continued training as usual.
After threatening a strike on practicing today (Tuesday), the day before the national cup semifinals against the Ashdod Sport Club, the players from Upper Nazareth gave in and resumed training as usual.
As reported, the players from Nazareth threatened a strike after they received their pay in post-dated checks on the 20th of the month. The issue was resolved today when the head of the club, Roni Likwarnik, arriving for practice, explained the situation to the players and assured them that their wages would be paid in full tomorrow.
Likwarnik also emphasized the importance of the game tomorrow and reminded them that it was a one-time opportunity to reach the semi-finals—an achievement unprecedented in the history of Upper Nazareth.
Likwarnik also expressed anger over the “poster affair” that exploded yesterday. As reported, Ashdod decided to promote the game by printing posters on which were written “Not even Jesus can help them.” The head of the club said that Christian leaders from Nazareth had come to him and suggested that he raise the issue at Vatican, since the church in the city was financing the match.
“We are a Jewish city and our neighbors are Christian,” said Likwarnik. “We live in harmony and we don’t involve Jesus in the game. This was very insulting to the Christians and injurious to us as well. We have received a petition from Christian leaders in the neighboring city to raise the issue at the Vatican.”
