Brazil's Lula tries to woo Israel, Palestinians to football match

AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO- Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is scrambling to get the ball rolling with the Israelis and Palestinians, inviting them to team up on together against Brazilian football stars, local media reported Sunday.
Lula's idea for a "peace match" was welcomed by Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, Lula said, quoted in the newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo. He met with both in the past two weeks.

Brazil's Lula tries to woo Israel, Palestinians to football match
"There is willingness on their parts to form a half-and-half side," Lula said, according to the report.
The match would be held in March 2010 in neutral territory during a visit by Lula to the Middle East. A similar match was played by the traditional rivals against a Spanish team in 2006.
The idea is part of Brazil's bid to raise its diplomatic profile in key world affairs.
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