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New stadium a ray of hope for Israel's Arabs
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-11-10 11:26

SAKHNIN, Israel, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Jointly funded by an Arab Gulf state and Israel's government, the Doha Stadium in this northern Israeli town is a sporting and political anomaly.

Bnei Sakhnin is the only Israeli Arab club in the country's top soccer league and has become a symbol for the hopes and aspirations of Israel's minorities.

Qatar has pledged $10 million for the venue housing 5,000 spectators, and a modern indoor sports complex which is a further sign of warming relations between the Gulf Arab political maverick and the Jewish state.

Israel's government also provided funds, promised personally by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who for years was shunned by Israeli Arabs because of his military exploits as an army general and his hard-line rightist pro-settler policies.

At the weekend, Bnei Sakhnin beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 at their new stadium, their first win at the ground and their first victory of the season.

"The lack of a ground has been a sign of discrimination but now that it has been completed it is both a symbol of co-existence and highlights what is still lacking," said Ghazal Abu Raya, a Sakhnin resident and an aide to the town's mayor.

"What is still needed is to give us the feeling that we are truly equal citizens."
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