Blood-shedding conflicts in the battle field, or breath-taking competitions in the Olympic field, which would you prefer to watch on TV? For many Israelis, the second option certainly goes first.
With the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games just around the corner, the Israeli public is paying increasing attention to the grand international event, and waiting to see the performance of their athletes.
Meanwhile, in such a state that has for years been embroiled in some historical disputes with its neighbors, many just want to take this opportunity to enjoy the four-yearly sports feast, without having to worry about violence.
"Of course, I will watch the Olympic Games on TV, and I don't want to be disrupted by terrible things, like rocket attacks from Hamas or something done by Hezbollah," Aviv Doron, an energetic young man in his 20s, told Xinhua Tuesday night beside a basketball court in the Sacher Park in central Jerusalem.
"We don't want to fight. I believe that Israeli people want a peaceful life... And for the sake of the Olympic Games, I really want to have some good time to watch the matches, especially the basketball," the basketball fan continued, adding that he is looking forward to the performance of the star-studded U.S. basketball team.
Sports fans like Doron would more likely get their uninterrupted Olympic joy should the Olympic Truce be observed, a concept that originated from the Olympic truce treaty passed by Greek city-states participating in the ancient Olympic Games.
Following the historical spirit, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution on Oct. 31, urging member states to observe the Olympic Truce individually and collectively during the Games of the 29th Olympiad scheduled for Aug. 8 to 24 and the following Paralympic Games due on Sept. 6 to 17.
President of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge told the UN General Assembly then that the Beijing Summer Games would be a wonderful opportunity for China and the world to witness the harmony, understanding and peace that sport can engender.
"We totally believe in these ideas, and we will work according to the agreement," said Michal Shahaf, spokeswoman of the Israeli Olympic Committee, in a telephone interview with Xinhua on Wednesday. She added that such a move will help make many nations in the world come closer.
Just as the Olympic Games is not merely a sports event, supporters of the Olympic Truce are not merely sports enthusiasts. Just as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday that such a truce, although limited in duration, can provide a chance for peace-oriented reconsideration.
Sitting in a small juice shop in the busy Muslim Quarter of the Old City, an Arab transportation worker who gave his name as Eitan, said although he does not love sports, nor will he watch Olympic matches on TV very often, he believes that the Olympic Truce is a righteous idea worth honoring.
Dissatisfied with the sluggish peace process between Israel and the Palestinians relaunched in November, the truck driver said he hoped that both Israelis and Palestinians would live a life free of security shadows as soon as possible.
"We should take every opportunity to get closer to peace, and the Olympiad is certainly a good one," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2008)