Israel is a divided nation, on the pitch as well as off. A recent survey indicates that violence and racism are the two main reasons why the Arab population avoids attending soccer events. The Israeli premier league’s Beitar Jerusalem has just ended a run of home matches played in empty stadiums – an official punishment for fans aiming racist chants and spitting at an Arab Muslim player on another team.

In order to bring players and fans closer together on and around the pitch, the New Israel Fund, along with the East Jerusalem Soccer Academy and Hapoel Katamon soccer club, has launched a joint soccer school for Jewish and Arab children. TLV1 reporter Ole Hilgert was at the kick-off event in Jerusalem.