Israel is asking its citizens traveling to the Qatar 2022 World Cup this week to expose themselves as Israelis as little as possible. The unprecedented influx of thousands of Israeli fans to descend on Doha for the first World Cup in the Middle East has raised fears of an embarrassing diplomatic crisis between countries without formal diplomatic relations.
Israel's warning is part of a Foreign Ministry campaign launched on Wednesday to educate the country's soccer fans about laws and customs in the conservative Muslim country. The campaign's website, in Hebrew and Arabic, describes a potential "minefield" that awaits Israeli tourists - who do not have a reputation for being welcoming - in Qatar, a country that bans drugs and restricts alcohol consumption.
Like many Gulf Arab citizens, including those in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020, Qatar has a history of support for the Palestinian cause. Complicating matters, fans and officials from Israel's arch-nemesis Iran will be at the tournament in Qatar, a short 40-minute flight from Iran.
The campaign asks Israelis to hide any Israeli symbols - apparently a reference to Israeli flags and Stars of David.
"The Iranian team will be at the World Cup and we estimate that tens of thousands of fans will follow it, and there will be other fans from Gulf countries with whom we do not have diplomatic relations," said Lior Haiat, a diplomat from of Israel, addressing Israeli fans, "Reduce your Israeli presence and Israeli identity for the sake of your personal safety."
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In a landmark deal Israelis without foreign passports can now travel to Qatar for the World Cup despite the lack of formal ties. Qatar announced last week that it will even allow direct flights from Tel Aviv to Doha for Israelis, as well as Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, whose ability to travel depends on Israeli government approval. As part of the agreement, Qatar will allow Israeli diplomats, through a private travel company, to provide consular support to Israelis during the tour. The diplomats left for Qatar on Wednesday.
Nearly 4 Israeli fans and 000 Palestinians have an entry visa to Qatar for the tournament. The ministry expects that up to 8 Israelis may participate in the World Cup.
"Soccer is something that many Israelis see as essential," Hayat said. "We are preparing for many Israelis who will show up and at least some of them who will need our help."
When it comes to Israeli fans of the LGBTQ community attending the tournament, the Foreign Office's website has short advice: "Not in public."
The website also warns against public intoxication, which is illegal in Qatar. During the World Cup, alcohol will only be available in certain areas, such as hotels and "special fan areas". The campaign also offers advice to Israelis trying to find shelter due to the lack of accommodation in tiny Qatar.
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Qatar hopes to show its passion for football as the host of the World Cup
It warns against bringing in illegal drugs, including cannabis, getting into fights and using foul language - all of which can have legal consequences in Qatar. Israeli officials hope a positive and seamless Israeli presence in Qatar could advance Israel's ambitions to integrate further into the region following normalization deals with two of Doha's Gulf Arab neighbors.
"We really hope that things will go well," Haiat said.
