The smoke of Operation Pillar of Defense has barely cleared and Hamas leaders are already receiving assurances of funding to help rebuilt Gaza following Israel�s counterterrorism offensive.

When it comes to funding Israel�s enemies, for some there is no issue of rocket fire into civilian communities, misuse and abuse of donor nation funds, widespread corruption, a total lack of transparency or even an effort at seeking guarantees to halt rocket fire. This is the case as far a FIFA Security General Jerome Vakcke is concerned; already announcing his commitment to rebuilt the Gaza City stadium that sustained heavy damage by the Israel Air Force during that operation.

Quoted on his organization�s website, he says “We will also rebuild the stadium in Gaza, which has been destroyed.�

He elaborates, stating soccer �brings people together� and as such, his organization will rebuild the stadium. This despite the fact Israel reported the stadium was targeted in air force sorties because it was being used as a launching pad for rocket attacks into southern Israel, but this seems to irrelevant for FIFA.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)