Israeli, Palestinian Rugby Sides Square Off in Budapest

The Beit Jala Lions, the first and only rugby team from the Palestinian Territories, faced off against their Israeli counterparts, the Beer Sheva Camels, in a friendly match last weekend in Budapest.

The amateur sides were taking part in the week-long Rugby for Peace tournament (October 11-18) which was funded by the European Union’s Global Education Through Sport program and organized by the Hungarian Antropolis Association – according to a report on IRB.com.

The Israelis won the game by a score of 26-5. According to a player in the video below, it was the first time Israeli and Palestinian rugby teams had competed against each other.

Teams from Italy, Hungary and the United Kingdom also participated. The Italian side, All Reds Roma, won the tournament.