Angry demonstrators and rabbis as well as a ban on gambling failed to stop
the inauguration of Israel’s first horse racetrack, as thousands of fans
cheered the four-legged competitors. It’s not much at this point – just a
collection of collapsable tents with a makeshift grandstand in the middle of
a field in northern Israel – but as the horses turned the final corner
before the finish line on Wednesday, it looked, sounded and smelled like the
real thing. That’s what bothers the detractors.
A few young animal rights activists broke onto the track, charging that race
horses are abused, and had to be dragged off by police. Five were arrested.
One of Israel’s chief rabbis condemned the event as frivolous. And a large
sign overlooking the new track reminded spectators that horse race gambling
is illegal in Israel.
Even so, organizers of the event and investors called the turnout a success
and said they it demonstrated the need to legalize gambling and build up a
permanent horse racing industry. “The fact that people are running here into
the stadium, it testifies that it’s a need and that they want to support it
and they want it to happen,” said Danny Atar, head of the Gilboa Regional
Council, who is leading the push to have the sport legitimized. The debate
over horse racing dates to 2004, when Israel’s parliament passed a law
allowing construction of race tracks. Animal rights activists with a group
called “Hakol Chai” filed an appeal with the Israeli Supreme Court against
the law. A hearing is scheduled in December.

The opponents gained a key ally when Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar
issued a religious ruling against horse racing, calling it frivolous
activity and noting its association with gambling and allegations of cruelty
to animals.

Some experts dispute the cruelty charge, claiming that the valuable race
horses are among the best kept animals in the world.

Just as the ban on gambling does not deter Israelis from placing millions of
dollars in bets on Internet gambling sites and illegal casinos in Israeli
cities, gambling was part of Wednesday’s horse race. Fans said they knew of
bets placed in secret among private groups and friends.

“Gambling is the main starter and the main economic way to make the race
track succeed,” said Atar, who said he did not know that illegal gambling
was taking place. He hoped that in three to four months the Israeli
government would approve horse race gambling.

Israeli businessman Ronen Kristal, who invested the first $700,000
(?560,000) in the track, said other investors are waiting for gambling to
become legal. He said it would cost about $14 million (?11.2 million) to
finish the project, which is expected to create about 3,500 jobs.