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Geography gone mad.

  • 03-08-2006 7:03am
    #1
    Hagar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,793 ✭✭✭✭


    This question just came to mind when thinking about the upcoming soccer fixtures with Liverpool.

    Why do we consider Isreal to be part of Europe?

    They sing in the Eurovision song contest, they play in the various European Soccer Championships, World Cup qualifiers etc. All their adjoining Arab neighbours are deemed to be in Asia yet Isreal isn't. We even acknowledge that Turkey is split by the Bospherous into European Turkey and Asian Turkey, yet further west Europe magically starts again with Isreal.

    I'm not being anti-semetic but I do think that there is a massive pro-semetic bias to include a country so far away as part of Europe. Is there a feeling that Isreal is somehow more civilised than it's neighbours and for that reason should be included in civilised Europe?

    Before the State of Isreal was formed in 1949 (I think) was Palestine as it was then considered to be European? I don't think it was.


Comments

  • #2
    county
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,800 ✭✭✭county


    i`ve often wondered this aswell but have`nt a clue why it is


  • #3
    Milo
    Closed Accounts Posts: 55 ✭✭Milo


    Isreal versus Iran or Syria or Lebanon in the World Cup Qualifiers....I don't think football would be on the minds of any of the players or supporters! And even if the game kicked off I'd say it would probably be abandoned due to the amount of players that would get sent off!

    That's why Isreal is in UEFA and also why they take part in European events. Their neighbours don't want them!


  • #4
    Ponster
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 10,912 Mod ✭✭✭✭Ponster


    Europe is a continent which is defined by it's cultural distinctions more than geographical ones.


  • #5
    Joliegood
    Closed Accounts Posts: 199 ✭✭Joliegood


    Saw a similar post on bbc not so long ago. Think someone said it was because of security issues.


  • #6
    RuggieBear
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,958 ✭✭✭✭RuggieBear


    Ponster wrote:
    Europe is a continent which is defined by it's cultural distinctions more than geographical ones.

    What are these cultural distinctions and how does Israel fit in?


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  • #7
    KdjaCL
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,346 ✭✭✭✭KdjaCL


    RuggieBear wrote:
    What are these cultural distinctions and how does Israel fit in?


    Beheadings, wars, revolutions etc: Israel have 11 years to catch up according to EU law.


    kdjac


  • #8
    Hagar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,793 ✭✭✭✭Hagar


    Ponster wrote:
    Europe is a continent which is defined by it's cultural distinctions more than geographical ones.
    But the Arabs and the Isrealis are both Semetic peoples so would share a cultural background if not a religious one.
    The Semetic people are not native to Europe, are they?


  • #9
    RuggieBear
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,958 ✭✭✭✭RuggieBear


    KdjaC wrote:
    Beheadings, wars, revolutions etc: Israel have 11 years to catch up according to EU law.


    kdjac

    Ah... the little heard of Israel-into-Europe Framework Directive


  • #10
    John R
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,107 ✭✭✭John R


    Hagar wrote:
    I'm not being anti-semetic

    It's sad that it is necessary to include that line in any statement vaguely critical of Israel.

    Milo wrote:
    Isreal versus Iran or Syria or Lebanon in the World Cup Qualifiers....I don't think football would be on the minds of any of the players or supporters! And even if the game kicked off I'd say it would probably be abandoned due to the amount of players that would get sent off!

    That's why Isreal is in UEFA and also why they take part in European events. Their neighbours don't want them!

    And we do???

    If they didn't have relationships with Europe and America to fall back on then they would make an effort to play nice with their neighbours and the possibility of a football match without a race riot would be available.


    They buy their way into most of these "European" events.

    As far as eurovision goes, any country can enter as long as one of their broadcasters joins the EBU and pays the fees.


  • #11
    Bluetonic
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,588 ✭✭✭Bluetonic


    Hagar wrote:
    Why do we consider Isreal to be part of Europe?

    they play in the various European Soccer Championships, World Cup qualifiers etc.

    Kazakhstan - now thats a fair bit away too for European & World Cup mathes, also in Europe.


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  • #12
    Flukey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,001 ✭✭✭✭Flukey


    As Milo said, it would be impossible for Israel to play with other Asian countries, particularly ones in the Middle East. John R, it is not a case of we do want them. Sport should not enter politics, but it does. Anyway, Israel playing in Europe is far from unique. There are many similar instances. As mentioned, only a fraction of Turkey is in Europe, with the vast bulk of it being in Asia. They enter the Eurovison, play in European competitions and have applied for EU membership. Australia is soon to play within the Asian confederation in the World Cup.

    Look more closer to home. A number of Welsh clubs play in the English Leagues and the FA Cup. There has long been a call for Celtic and Rangers to join the Premiership. In Ireland, in Gaelic Football, the Connacht Football Championship, as well as including the five Connacht counties, includes London and New York. So in theory, New York could be the All-Ireland Football champions. London and New York have also played in the Ulster Hurling Championship. Derry City FC are only playing in the Eircom League for a number of years now, having played with the rest of the teams in Northern Ireland for a long time.

    I could go on. There are dozens of examples. In many fields both in and outside sport, there are loads of instances of boundaries being crossed. So Israel competing in Europe is far from unusual.


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