Real Madrid arrives in Israel for peace match

Updated：2007-06-20 From：Xinhuanet

TEL AVIV, Isreal, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Newly-crowned Spanish football league champion Real Madrid arrived in Israel on Tuesday for a friendly match against a mixed team of Israeli and Palestinian players.

The Spanish club paid the visit to Israel at the invitation of the Peres Center for Peace, which is established by Israeli President-elect Shimon Peres.

The game will be played at Ramat Gan Stadium in Tel Avivi later on Tuesday evening.

Prior to the peace match, the Spanish football stars will also meet with Palestinian and Israeli children from the Peres Center's "Twinned Peace Football School".

The proceeds from the game will benefit the "Twinned Peace Football School" program.

The Real Madrid stars that arrived in Israel on the day including Raul Gonzalez, Van Nistelrooy, Guti, Emerson, Gassillas, Salgado, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro and Helguera.

Israeli national team captain and the West Ham midfielder Yossi Benayun is expected to play for the peace team.

English football star David Beckham, whose contract with Real has expired by the end of the season, is not in the squad.

Real President Ramon Calderon said at a press conference held on Tuesday that he hope the match will promote the peace building cause of the Middle East.