Sport in the Middle East: from an expression of identity to a vector for normalizing relations
Gili Lustig, Director General of the Olympic Committee, called Freilich's victory "an impressive achievement in an Olympic-level tournament" and that
"winning in Qatar and raising the Israeli flag at moments like these, on this unique stage, is Israeli pride at its best".
So why is winning a top-level sporting event so important for Israel and the countries of the Middle East?
One of the first answers lies in a historical perspective. In this region of the world, which lives to the rhythm of conflict, sport has established itself as a means of affirming heritage and identity. In this article, we offer an overview of how, over the years, sport has become a powerful means of expressing people's identity and, by extension, a means of reconciling them.
Sports heritage and identity-building through sport
Sport in the Middle East is not just a leisure activity. It is first and foremost a cultural heritage, woven into the complex fabric of a country's history.
This dimension transcends the simple acts of victory and defeat to become an essential pillar in the construction of a country's identity.
Thus, this cultural heritage is infused with deep symbolism and purpose, reflecting a nation's aspirations, challenges and triumphs.
This construction of identity, by regenerating and reviving the self-image of different communities, whether Jewish or Muslim, enables them to affirm themselves as a people. For many years, sport has enabled Middle Eastern communities to publicly express their deepest feelings, particularly in difficult contexts. It is for this reason that sport acts as a powerful catalyst for national identities.
One example is the Arab-Palestinian sports movement of the 1940s, which was integrated into the Arab nationalist movement, perfectly illustrating how sport became a means of defending a collective identity.
Sports teams were named after Muslim and Arab military commanders, reinforcing the nationalist dimension of the movement.
Another example: when the State of Israel had just been created and the region was ablaze, tension was at its height and nationalist demands were exacerbated. However, the will of countries is not only reduced to direct armed conflict, but also to initiatives that showcase their country's rich culture, for example through sport.
On the Israeli side, this is reflected in the names of Zionist sports clubs, with references to mythical heroes such as Judas Maccabaeus, Samson and Bar-Kokhba.
Thus, sport in the Middle East illustrates a deep desire to reconnect with fundamental values and heritage.
At this point, the question arises as to whether the expression of this heritage and identity can overcome ideological differences in favor of unity. To understand this, we propose to highlight a concrete example in which sport has shown that conflict can lead to peaceful coexistence.
Normalizing relations is a step-by-step process
Since 2016, Iran has had no relations with Saudi Arabia. And yet, understanding between these two Middle Eastern heavyweights is essential to achieving stability in the region. In 2023, to everyone's surprise, the two countries decided to renew their dialogue: through soccer !
Signed under the Chinese aegis, the agreement provides for the resumption of matches between the clubs and national teams of the two countries, confirming more than 7 years of conflict.
Saudi Arabia, ambitious to become a world footballing power, has invested over a billion dollars to attract international stars.
This sports rapprochement is presented as a key element in the gradual normalization between the two Middle Eastern nations, offering a symbolic window to peace.
Soccer is now seen as a powerful soft power tool, aligned with the respective visions of the two countries. So, while concrete progress and a full resolution of the differences are still to come, the first step was taken with the reopening of diplomatic representations in September, symbolized by the simultaneous arrival of new ambassadors in both capitals.
In conclusion, sport in the Middle East has a special dimension. Not only does it help to forge collective identities, reflecting past experiences, but it also gives concrete expression to shared aspirations for peaceful coexistence.
Source :
- https://fr.timesofisrael.com/a-doha-lescrimeur-israelien-remporte-lor-et-est-en-route-pour-les-jo-de-paris/
- https://www.cairn.info/revue-materiaux-pour-l-histoire-de-notre-temps-2012-2-page-47.htm?ref=doi#s1n2
- https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2023/09/11/en-iran-et-en-arabie-saoudite-le-football-a-l-heure-de-la-detente-diplomatique_6188803_3210.html
- https://www.francetvinfo.fr/sports/hockey-sur-glace/guerre-entre-israel-et-le-hamas-le-sport-ne-doit-rien-avoir-a-faire-avec-la-politique-plaident-des-athletes-israeliens_6319443.html
- https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/cristiano-ronaldo/football-cristiano-ronaldo-accueilli-en-star-a-teheran-avant-un-match-avec-al-nassr-a8a27f5a-5621-11ee-8f6c-0944d4762ec9#:~:text=%C2%AB%20Welcome%20Ronaldo%20!%20%C2%BB%20Les%20Iraniens,Iran%20et%20l%27Arabie%20saoudite.
