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More Noble Than War: A Soccer History of Israel-Palestine
By turns tragic and hopeful, the history of Israel and Palestine through the lens of the world's most popular sport
Soccer has never been apolitical. This is especially true for Israel and Palestine. The game played a direct role in shaping the politics of both countries, and the view from the stands or the pitch shines a light on key moments in the region's volatile history.
In More Noble Than War , Nicholas Blincoe weaves a dramatic narrative filled with driven players and coaches who are inspired as much by nationalism as a love of the game. Blincoe traces the history from the sport's introduction through church leagues, he rising tensions after the creation of Israel, and the decades of violence, war, and hunger strikes that have decimated teams.
More Noble Than War is a must-read for soccer fans and anyone seeking a new understanding of the world's most intractable conflict.
Soccer has never been apolitical. This is especially true for Israel and Palestine. The game played a direct role in shaping the politics of both countries, and the view from the stands or the pitch shines a light on key moments in the region's volatile history.
In More Noble Than War , Nicholas Blincoe weaves a dramatic narrative filled with driven players and coaches who are inspired as much by nationalism as a love of the game. Blincoe traces the history from the sport's introduction through church leagues, he rising tensions after the creation of Israel, and the decades of violence, war, and hunger strikes that have decimated teams.
More Noble Than War is a must-read for soccer fans and anyone seeking a new understanding of the world's most intractable conflict.
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 29, 2019
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About the author
Nicholas Blincoe
29 books20 followersBlincoe was born in Rochdale, Lancashire in 1965. After briefly studying art at Middlesex Polytechnic he attended the University of Warwick where he studied Philosophy, gaining a PhD in 1993. The thesis was entitled Depression and Economics. The thesis explored the relationship between political sciences and economic theories, with particular reference to the philosophy of Jacques Derrida.
Blincoe released a Hip-Hop record on Manchester's Factory Records in 1987 and his subsequent relationship with Factory records and the nightclub The Haçienda informed his early work.
In 1995, Blincoe married the Bethlehem Palestinian film-maker Leila Sansour, director of the documentary Jeremy Hardy vs The Israeli Army (2003).
Blincoe has written for British radio and television, including episodes of the BBC TV series Waking The Dead and Channel 4's Goldplated. As a critic and reviewer he has worked for the Modern Review, under the editorship of Toby Young and Julie Burchill. He was a columnist for the London Daily Telegraph until September 2006, writing the weekly 'Marginalia' column.
He is the author of six novels, Acid Casuals (1995), Jello Salad (1997), Manchester Slingback (1998), The Dope Priest (1999), White Mice (2002), Burning Paris (2004). He was a founding member of the New Puritans literary movement and co-edited (with Matt Thorne) the anthology 'All Hail The New Puritans' (2000) which included contributions from Alex Garland, Toby Litt, Geoff Dyer, Daren King, Simon Lewis, and Scarlett Thomas.
Blincoe won the Crime Writer's Association Silver Dagger for his novel Manchester Slingback in 1998. His early novels were crime thrillers set in or around his native Lancashire and the clubs of Manchester.
Some of his more recent novels reflect his life split between homes in London and Bethlehem. He is also a co-editor of a book on the International Solidarity Movement Peace Under Fire: Israel/Palestine and the International Solidarity Movement (2003) with Josie Sandercock, Radhika Sainath, Marissa Mcloughlin, Hussein Khalili, Huwaida Arraf and Ghassan Andoni.
Blincoe released a Hip-Hop record on Manchester's Factory Records in 1987 and his subsequent relationship with Factory records and the nightclub The Haçienda informed his early work.
In 1995, Blincoe married the Bethlehem Palestinian film-maker Leila Sansour, director of the documentary Jeremy Hardy vs The Israeli Army (2003).
Blincoe has written for British radio and television, including episodes of the BBC TV series Waking The Dead and Channel 4's Goldplated. As a critic and reviewer he has worked for the Modern Review, under the editorship of Toby Young and Julie Burchill. He was a columnist for the London Daily Telegraph until September 2006, writing the weekly 'Marginalia' column.
He is the author of six novels, Acid Casuals (1995), Jello Salad (1997), Manchester Slingback (1998), The Dope Priest (1999), White Mice (2002), Burning Paris (2004). He was a founding member of the New Puritans literary movement and co-edited (with Matt Thorne) the anthology 'All Hail The New Puritans' (2000) which included contributions from Alex Garland, Toby Litt, Geoff Dyer, Daren King, Simon Lewis, and Scarlett Thomas.
Blincoe won the Crime Writer's Association Silver Dagger for his novel Manchester Slingback in 1998. His early novels were crime thrillers set in or around his native Lancashire and the clubs of Manchester.
Some of his more recent novels reflect his life split between homes in London and Bethlehem. He is also a co-editor of a book on the International Solidarity Movement Peace Under Fire: Israel/Palestine and the International Solidarity Movement (2003) with Josie Sandercock, Radhika Sainath, Marissa Mcloughlin, Hussein Khalili, Huwaida Arraf and Ghassan Andoni.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 24, 2020
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More Noble Than War: A Soccer History of Israel-Palestine by Nicholas Blincoe traces the history of soccer in this small region of the world. Mr. Blincoe has written for radio and television, as well as several novels.
I have long ago realized that many things are more than they seem, and that politics seem to be encroaching on every aspect of our life. From schools, to the arts, and of course to sports. It is even more prominent in a part of the world where the politics are as divisive as ever.
The first thing I noticed in More Noble Than War: A Soccer History of Israel-Palestine by Nicholas Blincoe is that the author does not shy away from difficult and awkward historical or political issues. The second thing I noticed is that he is squarely in the Palestinians’ corner. That is fine, but I thought I’d mention it since the title could be misleading. To the author’s credit, he gives a bit of history about himself at the start of the book, informing the reader that he is married to a Palestinian woman (film director Leila Sansour) and lives, at least part time, in Bethlehem (the tile ” More Noble Than War ” is based on a chant Palestinian soccer fans use).
One would think from the book will mirror the structure of a soccer game, two teams against one another. But like many situations, this is a simplified scenario and the author does well to stay away from that false narrative, which is popular simply because it’s easy to understand. Much like the region’s history, the history of soccer in the area is complex and reflects the interest of the rich and powerful, much like it is today.
The book, however, did not go either here or there. It touches on the way special interests manipulated the sport, and touches on the passion that fans and activists feel – but doesn’t dive into either. The author also seems to harp over the crimes committed by Israel (actual crimes, like murder of Palestinians by citizens), but totally gloss over the Palestinian crimes.
The book shines when Mr. Blincoe goes to field (literally and figuratively), watching games, navigating Palestine and Israeli roads and traffic, and interviews those who control the teams. I would even say that the book can be divided between Blincoe the historian and Blincoe the reporter, each of them deserves their own separate book.
More Noble Than War: A Soccer History of Israel-Palestine by Nicholas Blincoe traces the history of soccer in this small region of the world. Mr. Blincoe has written for radio and television, as well as several novels.
I have long ago realized that many things are more than they seem, and that politics seem to be encroaching on every aspect of our life. From schools, to the arts, and of course to sports. It is even more prominent in a part of the world where the politics are as divisive as ever.
The first thing I noticed in More Noble Than War: A Soccer History of Israel-Palestine by Nicholas Blincoe is that the author does not shy away from difficult and awkward historical or political issues. The second thing I noticed is that he is squarely in the Palestinians’ corner. That is fine, but I thought I’d mention it since the title could be misleading. To the author’s credit, he gives a bit of history about himself at the start of the book, informing the reader that he is married to a Palestinian woman (film director Leila Sansour) and lives, at least part time, in Bethlehem (the tile ” More Noble Than War ” is based on a chant Palestinian soccer fans use).
One would think from the book will mirror the structure of a soccer game, two teams against one another. But like many situations, this is a simplified scenario and the author does well to stay away from that false narrative, which is popular simply because it’s easy to understand. Much like the region’s history, the history of soccer in the area is complex and reflects the interest of the rich and powerful, much like it is today.
The book, however, did not go either here or there. It touches on the way special interests manipulated the sport, and touches on the passion that fans and activists feel – but doesn’t dive into either. The author also seems to harp over the crimes committed by Israel (actual crimes, like murder of Palestinians by citizens), but totally gloss over the Palestinian crimes.
The book shines when Mr. Blincoe goes to field (literally and figuratively), watching games, navigating Palestine and Israeli roads and traffic, and interviews those who control the teams. I would even say that the book can be divided between Blincoe the historian and Blincoe the reporter, each of them deserves their own separate book.
July 23, 2019
More Noble Than War mixes the often uncomfortable history/politics of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict with the shared soccer evolution of the region. Soccer, moreso than many sports, is often intrinsically tied into the politics of the time period. Nicholas Blincoe details how teams and players were affected by unrest and conflict in the region, all the while never losing sight of the hope that soccer can offer in terms of bringing people together.
Recommended highly for sports fans and history buffs alike.
**I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Perseus Books, PublicAffairs.**
Recommended highly for sports fans and history buffs alike.
**I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Perseus Books, PublicAffairs.**
November 27, 2025
Found this book browsing the shelves of Powell's bookstore in Portland when we were visiting family. It combines history and soccer, both things I enjoy, and brought back memories of my trip to the West Bank a number of years ago. In the old city of Hebron where I stayed, the IDF had closed the road permanently. So the residents painted lines and made goals to create a narrow soccer field. Occasionally you even caught one of the IDF soldiers playing with the local Palestinians.
The first half of the book sets the stage which is complicated so the story sometimes gets lost in the details. The second half, or maybe, the last third of the book is clearer as the narrative flows better.
Blincoe doesn't hide his political leanings or his hope for the region, something I appreciated. It was interesting to learn there were two branches in the early formations of Israeli soccer, one socialist the other fascist. Unfortunately and probably not surprisingly, it seems most of the current Israeli leadership descends from the fascist stream.
Writing before the Hamas attack on Israel, Blincoe expresses some hope that eventually the region might become like some of the soccer teams in Israel, made up of players who are Israeli, Arab, Palestinian, in other words multi-ethnic and multi-religious. Unfortunately it seems the team that is proud of never having an Arab player is now the model for many.
Since the war and the destruction of Gaza, the Palestinian leagues in Gaza have halted . A google search reports that 335 soccer players, including Suleiman al-Obeid (the Palestinian Pele) have been killed and 288 sports facilities in Gaza and the West Bank have been destroyed.
Blincoe also describes the role UEFA and FIFA have played in excerpting some pressure on Israel to improve their behavior as in allowing Palestinian team members to actually get to their matches.
Another update -just this past month (November 2025) the Palestinian national team recently played its first match on European soil against a Basque team.
The first half of the book sets the stage which is complicated so the story sometimes gets lost in the details. The second half, or maybe, the last third of the book is clearer as the narrative flows better.
Blincoe doesn't hide his political leanings or his hope for the region, something I appreciated. It was interesting to learn there were two branches in the early formations of Israeli soccer, one socialist the other fascist. Unfortunately and probably not surprisingly, it seems most of the current Israeli leadership descends from the fascist stream.
Writing before the Hamas attack on Israel, Blincoe expresses some hope that eventually the region might become like some of the soccer teams in Israel, made up of players who are Israeli, Arab, Palestinian, in other words multi-ethnic and multi-religious. Unfortunately it seems the team that is proud of never having an Arab player is now the model for many.
Since the war and the destruction of Gaza, the Palestinian leagues in Gaza have halted . A google search reports that 335 soccer players, including Suleiman al-Obeid (the Palestinian Pele) have been killed and 288 sports facilities in Gaza and the West Bank have been destroyed.
Blincoe also describes the role UEFA and FIFA have played in excerpting some pressure on Israel to improve their behavior as in allowing Palestinian team members to actually get to their matches.
Another update -just this past month (November 2025) the Palestinian national team recently played its first match on European soil against a Basque team.
September 16, 2025
It was interesting to learn about the football community in Palestine both prior to, and after the recognition of the state of "Israel" in 1948. Football/sport is quite often used as an example of something that could unite (e.g. Christmas Truce of 1914 - British and German soldiers exchanging gifts, playing football). Unfortunately, this kind of 'hope-core' tends to gloss over the atrocities of the actual relationship between the two.
What a shame that in recent times, that state continues to conduct a genocide (now finally reported by the UN today). Israeli strikes murdered Suleiman Al-Obaid (ex-Palestine NT player) just 1 month ago; at least 10 Palestinian children from a football youth academy have been murdered since the genocide began.
What a shame that in recent times, that state continues to conduct a genocide (now finally reported by the UN today). Israeli strikes murdered Suleiman Al-Obaid (ex-Palestine NT player) just 1 month ago; at least 10 Palestinian children from a football youth academy have been murdered since the genocide began.
June 15, 2024
More Noble Than War linkt voetbal aan maatschappij en politiek, wat het een zeer interessant boek maakt. Jammer genoeg is het niet altijd eenvoudig om te volgen. Zijsprongen die niet altijd noodzakelijk lijken, maken het soms wat chaotisch. Verder komen er heel veel verhalen van personen aan bod, waardoor het moeilijk wordt om die nog te onderscheiden van elkaar.
Uiteindelijk slaagt More Noble Than War er wel in om aan de hand van voetbal in de mate van het mogelijke de historie van Palestina en Israël duidelijk uit te leggen, wat gezien de complexiteit ervan zeer knap is.
Uiteindelijk slaagt More Noble Than War er wel in om aan de hand van voetbal in de mate van het mogelijke de historie van Palestina en Israël duidelijk uit te leggen, wat gezien de complexiteit ervan zeer knap is.
September 13, 2022
3,5. Not bad and rich in information. The chronology of the first part is unfortunately quite confused which makes it sometimes difficult to follow: a moment you are in 1919, then in 1934 and back to the 20s. It can be quite an obstacle for people without an insight in Middle East history and politics.
December 8, 2023
A book which is as much about the history of Israel and Palestine as it is about football - though the latter provides an interesting lens. Going back to the start of the game in Palestine in 1908 and detailing the virtually separate and unequal development of football in the Jewish and Palestinian communities. It's all fascinating and frequently infuriating.
January 25, 2021
I wrote this review
https://forward.com/culture/433726/ho...
https://forward.com/culture/433726/ho...
January 4, 2025
A different perspective to the occupation. Wish the stance in the book was more hard-lined. Learned new things about my club, Al Ahly, which was a pleasant surprise.
May 13, 2020
I found this really interesting. Personally I would have preferred more of a focus on the current state of Palestinian football- two thirds of the book is devoted to pre-world war two. The author injects his own experiences into the narrative at various points, personally I would have liked to have seen this more present throughout more of the book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews