Is Israel in Asia or Euro?

Question

I've always thought Israel was part of asia, if not middle east, but then what was Israel doing in the Euro 2008 qualification (soccer) then?

Answer 1

Israel is in Western Asia. As for the Euro 2008 qualification it is worth to remember that Israel has taken part in soccer events for three different continents: Asia, Europe and Oceania in the Football World Cup qualifiers, before settling in Europe as a member of UEFA in 1994.

Israel initially competed in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), although due to their ongoing geopolitical situation many Asian nations often refused to compete against Israel. Both this, and their geographical proximity to Europe, meant that they mainly competed in European (UEFA) or Oceanian (OFC) World Cup qualifying tournaments.

Answer 2

Western Asia (Asia)

Other countries that are in this area are:

Afghanistan

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Bahrain

Cyprus

Georgia

Iran

Iraq

Israel (what you just said)

Jordan

Kuwait

Lebanon

Omen

Palestinian Territories (Gaza Strip and West Bank)

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Syria

United Arab Emirates

Yemen

It also includes the Asian portion of Turkey (Anatolia) and Egypt (Sinai Peninsula)

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Israel has always been refered to as a Middle Eastern country, but in term of which continent it belongs to it would be Asia. The Middle East is a region not a continent (other examples of regions would be Central America, Southeast Asia, etc). The "boundary" between Asia and Europe is the Bosporus (Istanbul Strait) located in Istanbul, Turkey.

In reference to Euro 2008, this is just how FIFA seperated the soccer federations (CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, CAF, AFC and OFC are the others). I would assume Israel is there for it's association with Europe in a social and cultural aspect (as is Turkey). They have nothing to do with geographical locations.

Answer 4

Anyway I like it to be in Euro.

Answer 5

Asia

Answer 6

Israel is in the historical Levant. I believe that stretches from the Tarsus Mountains in the North to the Arabian Desert in the South. So, in theory, trade and travel would have been more dangerous in either of those directions than to the East, or Asia.  Hence a greater relation to Asia, not the "Orientalist" Asia, but the continent. Also, you could say Israel is in Asia Minor, at least that's what the Greeks did.

Answer 7

Asia. It's right on the border of Africa--Sinai is in Africa geographically. it's near Europe, but it is only considered part of Europe socially (in terms of sports, etc.), not geographically.

Answer 8

Its is in Middle east but many people living in Israel have their decency from Europe! In some sense you also call it a Mediterranean state!

I think its in Euro 2008 because of political reasons! I think many of the Israeli players would not want to play in crowd of thousands in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan . Would you?

Answer 9

Israel is located in Western Asia is is actually a state.

Answer 10

I think it might be more of Africa

Answer 11

asia, eg,part of turkey falls into both asia and europe