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Maccabi's stunning victory unites Israelis with national pride

An unambiguous victory for Israel
May 14, 2001

Even before the conflict began, the police used tear gas on the chanting, jeering mob. But even after the first shots were fired, the crowds refused to disperse. The Israelis began firing with deadly accuracy. The shooting continued for almost two hours, with only a brief lull in the middle.

From long range and short range, the shots hit their marks. The opposing force put up a strong fight, and at one point seemed to be turning the tide. But the Israeli defense held, and the offense proved overwhelming. In the moments before the end, the opposing force simply gave up. They didn't even try to shoot.

When it was all over, Israeli forces occupied the battle area, overcoming the local police, who could only stand by, watching helplessly. Later the forces streamed into the capital city, marching triumphantly up the main boulevard, festooned in their yellow battle colors, waving their flags as they approached, and then surrounded, the Arc de Triomphe. The French were shocked, simply shocked. Who invited these unruly Israelis to invade? And back in Tel Aviv, a quarter million people swarmed into Rabin Square, singing and dancing and honking their horns until dawn.

It was just a basketball game, but it was much more than that. It was a shining moment of sport and celebration. Israelis could take pride in the fact - the uncontested fact - that we are the champions of Europe in basketball. It was the Maccabi Club Team, but their players and coach, in the moment of victory, said it as one: We did it for Israel.

There were more mystical expressions. "We are a living people!" "The people of Israel lives!" And perhaps somewhat sacrilegiously, as if there were any doubt on this, the day that the Lord hath made: "There is a God!" At the moment of victory, players bowed their heads in prayer. Grown men cried with joy.

It seems like forever since the people of Israel have had a reason to celebrate. The Intifada may not end, the nations may scorn us, but one thing is certain: we have the best hoops team in Europe. No one can take that away from us. Not today. Not this year.

The only demonstrations to come will celebrate the team's return to Israel. There will be no foreign committees to investigate. There will be no observer forces to meddle. There will be no UN condemnations. In a perfect world, the European Union would pass a resolution recognizing Israel's conquest of their continent and acknowledging our superior force, at least in basketball. But hey, nobody's perfect. And we're patient.

Today in Israel there is only the sweet feeling of victory. Sweet unambiguous victory. Let's stop history right here.