The European decision to cancel an important upcoming soccer match in Israel because of \"safety considerations\" still stands, despite the best efforts of Israel\'s government leaders to explain that this represents a dangerous cave-in to terrorism.
The UEFA soccer organization, citing the increasing terrorism, decided this week to cancel, until further notice, all international competitions in Israel - most notably, the quarterfinal UEFA Cup match between HaPoel Tel Aviv and AC Milan scheduled for next week in Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Sharon and Foreign Minister Peres spoke last night with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, and Sharon assured him that all necessary security measures would be taken to assure the safety of the AC Milan team. Israel has even offered the team a special insurance plan. Science, Culture and Sport Minister Matan Vilnai traveled to Zurich, Switzerland today in an effort to persuade UEFA officials to move the game back to Tel-Aviv and not to cave in to terrorism. UEFA will convene tomorrow for a final review of the decision, but Vilnai said he is very pessimistic, and a neutral site for the much-anticipated match is already being sought.
The UEFA soccer organization, citing the increasing terrorism, decided this week to cancel, until further notice, all international competitions in Israel - most notably, the quarterfinal UEFA Cup match between HaPoel Tel Aviv and AC Milan scheduled for next week in Tel Aviv. Prime Minister Sharon and Foreign Minister Peres spoke last night with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, and Sharon assured him that all necessary security measures would be taken to assure the safety of the AC Milan team. Israel has even offered the team a special insurance plan. Science, Culture and Sport Minister Matan Vilnai traveled to Zurich, Switzerland today in an effort to persuade UEFA officials to move the game back to Tel-Aviv and not to cave in to terrorism. UEFA will convene tomorrow for a final review of the decision, but Vilnai said he is very pessimistic, and a neutral site for the much-anticipated match is already being sought.