It hasn’t been an easy few years to be Israeli in Burlington, or at the University of Vermont. The City Council came close to becoming the first in the United States to boycott Israel, pulling a resolution in 2021 amid allegations of antisemitism. This year, the council narrowly vetoed a citizen-led initiative to declare Burlington an “apartheid-free community,” a protest against the current war. (The city was also the site of a shooting of three Palestinian students in an apparent hate crime one year ago.) Before the current war, the university drew criticism for permitting an allegedly antisemitic climate, in part over its handling of anti-Israel protest; it agreed in April 2023 to do more to protect Jewish students from antisemitism.
“It’s hard to see that people are ignorant and just antisemitic, or just going with something that is not right, just to be part of something,” Bazini said. “So it is sad and frustrating, but I think throughout the year and a half that it’s going on, I grew up and understood that it’s a waste of time to talk with them or to deal with that.”
He continued: “You kind of understand that there are those people in the world, and you will never understand it, and you just kind of need to try to do the best to show the face of the reality of Israel or the Jews, or whoever it is, because it is a good face.”
Bazini echoed a sentiment that many Israelis have expressed about Oct. 7: that it feels like it never ended.
“It makes you take everything in perspective,” he said. “And it took me a while to play like myself, and it’s hard until today. You still read the news every day, and you’re still in it, so it’s the same day since Oct. 7.”
Bazini represented the U.S. team at the 2023 Pan American Maccabi Games in Argentina. Preston Goldfarb, who coached the team, has high praise for Bazini.
“I have had some outstanding strikers and players over my 52-year career in soccer, but Yaniv is without question one of the purest strikers and most complete players I have been honored and privileged to coach and to remain close with,” Goldfarb said through a Maccabi USA press release.
And no matter how Monday’s title game plays out, Bazini is hoping to give Israelis something to be proud about this week. The MLS, America’s professional soccer league, holds its player draft on Friday, and Bazini is hoping to hear his name called.
If he is not selected, Bazini intends to pursue a professional soccer career elsewhere, possibly in Europe or Israel.
If he decides to join the MLS, Bazini would become at least the third Israeli player in the league, alongside Tai Baribo of the Philadelphia Union and Liel Abada of Charlotte F.C. Bazini understands the significance of representing Jews and Israelis in the sport.
“It means everything,” he expressed. “I have received numerous messages from kids who have been inspired by not just my soccer skills, but also by how I proudly showcase my Jewish identity. Whether it’s reciting ‘Shema Yisrael’ at the beginning of games or halftime, or giving thanks to God every time I score, I have made an impact on many people. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to reach an even larger audience and empower them to embrace their identity without fear.”
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