This cartoon by Dosh (Kariel Gardosh) was published in Davar a few days after the Mexico World Cup in 1970, contrasting the status of the Israeli football team before and after the World Cup.
The cartoon has two sides. On the right-hand side, under the heading “Before,” the national Israeli football team is represented by a baby sitting in a stroller labelled “the team” and pushed by Srulik, an iconic figure created by Dosh to represent the State of Israel. The baby’s face is covered with a Mexican sombrero printed with the words “Mexico 70.” Srulik is pushing the stroller reluctantly, holding the baby’s bottle and looking away from the baby who is holding the football.
The left-hand side of the cartoon, under the heading “After,” portrays a rather different scene. The baby is no longer a baby but a fully grown adult who is giving the bottle of milk back to Srulik (as he no longer needs it!). He is standing proudly, his sombrero hat raised in order to reveal his face. Srulik looks surprised but delighted at the rapid growth of the baby.
The 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico was a turning point in Israeli football and sports. It was the first and last time that the Israel’s national football team qualified for the World Cup. The inexperienced Israeli team reached the finals and drew against both Sweden and Italy, losing only to Uruguay before being eliminated from the later rounds. Due to the increased focus on Israeli football, the international status of Israeli footballers grew and Israel’s football league became professional, providing Israeli players with international football opportunities.
This achievement in the World Cup, three years after the victory of the Six-Day War, helped create a global image of a strong and determined Israel. The cartoon reflects the increased sense of pride felt by the Israeli public.
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Israeli Football - Football is the most popular sport in Israel. Introduced by the British during mandate period, organised football consisted of British, Jewish, and Arab clubs. While Israeli football is not as developed or successful as in other parts of the world, some players, such as Yossi Benayoun, Eyal Berkovich, and Haim Revivo, have succeeded in the international arena.
