WORLD CUP MANIA IN ISRAEL/PALESTINE

Been working on an interesting story related to the South African 2010 World Cup - how Israelis and Palestinians feel about the teams competing.

Most relevant is attitudes to Germany - it's crazy, but a bit predictable perhaps - that most Palestinians I've spoken to want Germany to win. When I ask Palestinians in Gaza and Ramallah why - the answer is always the same - something to the effect that by supporting Germany, they're taking a jab at Israel. And in a way it's true - most Israelis I've spoken to simply can't bring themselves to support a German win because of the Holocaust and that country's history with Jews.

Which is also ironic in a way because since the establishment of Israel, Germany has arguably become Israel's closest ally and friend in Europe. True, it's often been guilt-money, but in the years immediately following the establishment of Israel, German money paid for much of the country's infrastructure, such as roads and public transport. And yet there's still a bitter taste in the mouths of many Israelis today.

I was talking to a green grocer, Avi. He simply shook his head as if I was daft to even ask the question why he wasn't supporting Germany in the games.

By contrast, cafes and restaurants in Ramallah will tonight be full when Germany takes on Spain. Every goal scored by the Germans will be another - albeit small victory - for many Palestinians over their Jewish neighbours.