Arab-Israeli Soccer Players Should Embrace Their Identity, Says Biram Kayal

Biram Kayal, a former Israeli national team player and current official with the Israel Football Association responsible for developing soccer in the Arab community, has spoken out about the complexities of being an Arab in Israel. In an interview with the BBC, Kayal emphasized that while being Arab in Israel can be challenging and present unequal opportunities, he believes in a pluralistic future for the country, with soccer serving as a unifying force.

Kayal highlighted the camaraderie he experienced playing alongside Jewish teammates, stating that on the field, differences in religion, culture, or color are irrelevant. He recalled instances of shared faith practices, noting that "on the field, you never look at color, culture, or religion. You just want the best people around you to win the game."

Discussing the impact of the 2018 Nation-State Law, which downgraded Arabic's official status, Kayal noted the IFA's initiative to offer Hebrew lessons to Arabic-speaking coaches. However, Kayal asserted his commitment to preserving Arab identity within the sport. "I am at the Association to bring the culture of the Arab public to the table," he stated.

Kayal encouraged Arab players joining national teams to "speak your language, don't be afraid, don't be ashamed to speak, don't be afraid to express yourselves." He urged Israel to learn from its diverse population, embracing the differences between Jews, Circassians, Arabs, Muslims, Christians, and Druze to foster a stronger, more unified nation.