why do israel play in europe

Israel plays in European football competitions primarily due to political and security reasons rather than geography. Geographically located in the Middle East, Israel originally competed in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). However, due to the refusal of many Middle Eastern and Asian countries to compete against Israel and ongoing political boycotts, Israel was expelled from the AFC in 1974. This left Israel without a regional football confederation in which it could compete safely. For practical and security reasons, and because many neighboring countries did not allow Israeli teams to play in their territories, Israel sought membership in UEFA (the European football governing body). By 1991, UEFA allowed Israel to compete under its competitions, and Israel became a full UEFA member by 1994. European countries offered a safer and more stable environment for Israeli teams to play international matches, unlike many parts of Asia where security and political conflicts posed significant obstacles. This arrangement also reflects a broader geopolitical reality where football and politics are deeply intertwined. Israeli teams often play their European matches at neutral or even second-home venues in countries like Serbia due to concerns about safety within Israel. UEFA's acceptance of Israel is sometimes viewed as a pragmatic solution to the complex geopolitical tensions that prevent Israel from playing in its geographic region. Thus, Israeli teams compete in Europe because they need a competitive and secure environment that Asia's political tensions cannot guarantee.