Toronto, ON – Today, it was reported that the Israeli team participating in this week's Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) Women's World Cup in Oshawa will not be able to play in the final rounds should the team qualify because those games are taking place this coming Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath. While FIL had made arrangements to ensure that Israel would not have to play this past Saturday during the qualifying round, FIL by-laws do not allow for the playoffs to be rescheduled to Friday before sundown or Saturday night after sundown on July 20th, the final day of the tournament.
In response, David Spiro, Co-Chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), Toronto, issued the following statement:
"Having spoken with both parties, we respect the Israeli team's adherence to religious practice and we are sympathetic to the Federation's constraints, in terms of its governing regulations and the logistical challenges involved in rescheduling the playoffs. Moreover, we appreciate the arrangements it has already made to allow the Israeli team to compete in earlier games while observing the Sabbath.
"At its core, the World Cup is about bridging national and cultural divides through excellence in sport, by uniting the world's top athletes to compete for the global title. It is important for all of the athletes to be given an opportunity to compete in every game of the tournament and for the winner to be determined on the field rather than by default. We urge FIL to work with the Israeli team on a creative solution that respects the Federation's rules while enabling the Israeli players to contend for the Cup."
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is the non-partisan advocacy arm of the Jewish Federations of Canada.
For more information, please contact:
Howard English
Senior Vice-President, Greater Toronto Region
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs
416.631.5735