Iraq national football team is set to travel Thursday on its first-ever visit to the Israeli occupied West Bank where it will face the Palestine national squad.
Iraq fought in wars against Israel in 1948, 1967 and 1973 and has still technically yet to make peace with the Jewish state, AFP reported.
Most teams in Arab countries refuse to visit the Palestinian territories because Israel controls the West Bank’s borders and blockades the Gaza Strip.
But Palestinian leaders have for years called on Arab countries to send sporting and cultural delegations to help ease their isolation.
The friendly match with Iraq will be held Saturday in Ramallah, the West Bank’s administrative center.
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