We all Love this Game: This is Cute, Not Racist

This is a soccer blog not a political blog, but for the record, I do not oppose thecontroversial Israeli cell-phone company Cellcom's new commercial embedded above.
The piece ends with the voice over, "So what is it that we all want? Just a little fun.Cellcom Media come on in."
I think the advertisement does not hurt or offend anyone, and in fact - it shows that we are all humans - Jewish or Arab, Palestinian or Israeli. We are one. We all love the beautiful game.
[ via Yediot Achronot ][ via Haaretz ]

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By idanz

14.07.2009 08:05

Yes, we all love this beautiful game but I see a lot of problems with this video and I can imagine how both sides can take offense. If this was an artistic piece I can somehow pass it as criticism. Having it as a commercial to sell cell phones, that's another thing completely...

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By FantasyPremPundit

14.07.2009 16:58

Idan - I have to completely disagree. Ahmed Tibi - the Arab Israeli MK (an educated, eloquent and famous for his tongue lashing abilities) demanded that cellcom remove the ad - but why?What is offensive about Israelis and Palestinians playing soccer? They both love the game, and they love it DESPITE of the fence that separates them.

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By idanz

14.07.2009 17:22

Without going into political debate - don't you think it is awkward that the Palestinians in the clip have no faces? I think this clip is taking light-headedly an issue that is somehow tragic for both sides.

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By dank

14.07.2009 17:45

Saw the clip. Dont think there was anything untoward or offensive about it, apart from that it's a dumb commercial and is offensive to everyone...because it is a stupid commercial! ;-)

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By idanz

14.07.2009 18:00

Dan - It's either a dumb commercial or a pathetic publicity stunt (hey, it got US talking about it...)

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By FantasyPremPundit

14.07.2009 18:16

Idan - No one in the US is really talking about it. I read about it in Israeli papers. Even if it is a dumb commercial - I don't think that's reason to call it offensive or racist. As you know - living in an intense environment like Israel - sometimes its OK to make light of situations through media / commercials. I don't think it matters if it is a commercial to make cell phones or an artistic piece, because at the end of the day, as I mentioned before, it shows that no matter what political views you uphold, and no matter what "Deeper" discussions and political controversies exist outside of the world of soccer - for 30 seconds a day - even if through a "dumb" advertisement - we are all united through soccer. The same sport that unites us here on Footbo and even has us discussing this.

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By idanz

15.07.2009 08:13

@Never - I meant to emphasize us as in this group of people discussing the topic, not U.S the country

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