The Haifa International Soccer Writers Tournament, set to begin on June 19, has stirred some unusual controversy this year, tainting the games' friendly tradition with a political dispute. The four-day tournament, which will be held in the city's Ram Stadium, was set to host over 50 writers from Sweden, Germany, Italy -- the 2012 games' winner -- Britain and Turkey, but the British and Turkish teams announced they would be boycotting the games over Israel's policies in the Palestinian territories. Novelist Jake Wallis Simons, who serves as captain of the British team, has decided to defy his team's boycott and will visit Israel to take part in the games. Simons further announced that he intends to play as part of the Israeli team. Speaking to Israel Hayom from London, the best-selling author of "The English German Girl," said that the writers who make up the British team are good friends with their Israeli counterparts, but since three members of the team announced that they refuse to play in Israel the team could not participate in the tournament. Simons said he believes a cultural boycott on Israel is "a bad and dangerous idea," adding he disagrees with anyone using culture to exert political pressure. The Haifa tournament, he added, was his chance to prove his love for Israel. Israeli writer Assaf Gavron, captain of the Israeli writers' team, told Israel Hayom that he welcomed Simons' arrival and that the British writer will join Hungarian novelist Peter Zilahy, who will also play wearing the Israeli uniform. "This is a cultural and sporting event meant to promote literature, friendship and understanding," he said. Gavron added that the Israeli team attempted to persuade the Turkish writers to attend the games, but to no avail. "We held an open and friendly dialogue, but at the end of the day it proved too complicated for them to defy the [political] climate in their country and they decided to pull out. They cannot challenge the consensus they way we can." According to the Israeli author, the Swedish team will attend the games despite being pressured to boycott them as well. "Haifa is a symbol for equality and human rights and it is an island of sanity. We salute the teams coming for the games and welcome them wholeheartedly," Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav said.
