OxBlog

Thursday, July 13, 2006

# Posted 12:16 AM by Ariel David Adesnik  

WHY DO LEBANESE SHI'ITES LOVE ITALY SO MUCH? After Hezbollah kidnapped two Israeli soldiers, the WaPo interviewed a local man, Hassan Qaryani who:
Called the kidnapping "like a crown on my head."

"As soon as I heard the news I was overjoyed," he said. "It was like Italy winning the World Cup."
Huh? Even if I disagree slightly with their sentiments, I know why lots of folks in southern Lebanon celebrate the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers.

But why Italy? Do the preachers in the mosques now lead the faithful in rousing chants to the effect of, "Destory Israel! Root for Italy!"?

The one theory I can come up with is that Italy beat France, which basically ruled Lebanon from the end of World War I until after World II. On the other hand, Zinedine Zidane, possibly the greatest Arab footballer of all time, plays for France.

Man, international relations is confusing.
(5) opinions -- Add your opinion

Comments:
And Israel was also rooting for Italy... A foundation for peace?
 
That's why I was rooting for France, I knew Hzb mongers were pulling for those cheatin Azzuri.
 
What he means was, he was overjoyed "like Italy" was when it won the world cup. Just as Italy was overjoyed, so was he. Put a comma after "Italy" and it makes sense.

Thus if France had won, he probably would have said that he "was overjoyed, like France winning the world cup."
 
That actually makes a lot of sense.
 
In 1982, Italy dedicated their World Cup victory to the Palestinians.
 
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