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Protest Erupts Before France, Israel Baseball Match in Netherlands
(MENAFN) A demonstration against Israel took place before the France-Israel game at the opening of the European Baseball Cup in the Netherlands.
The protest was organized by the Rotterdam Palestine Coalition Foundation outside Neptunus Stadium in Rotterdam, aiming to voice opposition to the participation of Israel’s national team.
Assembled outside the stadium prior to the match, demonstrators accused Israel of exploiting sports to obscure alleged crimes against Palestinians and demanded that Israeli teams be banned from international sporting competitions.
A spokesperson for the organization emphasized that it was “unacceptable” to host Israel while violence persists in Gaza.
The spokesperson also noted that, despite appeals to block Israel’s participation, Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten allowed the team to compete, and that protests would continue during Israel’s games on Sunday and Monday.
Protesters displayed Palestinian flags and banners with slogans such as “Stop whitewashing with sports, boycott genocide” and “Zionism is Nazism, Gaza is Auschwitz,” chanting phrases including “Boycott Israel,” “Murderer Israel,” “Free Palestine,” and “Death to the Israeli army IDF.”
The France-Israel match was postponed by approximately 2.5 hours due to rain.
Police eventually relocated the demonstrators to an area next to the stadium, permitting spectators to enter the venue.
The protest was organized by the Rotterdam Palestine Coalition Foundation outside Neptunus Stadium in Rotterdam, aiming to voice opposition to the participation of Israel’s national team.
Assembled outside the stadium prior to the match, demonstrators accused Israel of exploiting sports to obscure alleged crimes against Palestinians and demanded that Israeli teams be banned from international sporting competitions.
A spokesperson for the organization emphasized that it was “unacceptable” to host Israel while violence persists in Gaza.
The spokesperson also noted that, despite appeals to block Israel’s participation, Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten allowed the team to compete, and that protests would continue during Israel’s games on Sunday and Monday.
Protesters displayed Palestinian flags and banners with slogans such as “Stop whitewashing with sports, boycott genocide” and “Zionism is Nazism, Gaza is Auschwitz,” chanting phrases including “Boycott Israel,” “Murderer Israel,” “Free Palestine,” and “Death to the Israeli army IDF.”
The France-Israel match was postponed by approximately 2.5 hours due to rain.
Police eventually relocated the demonstrators to an area next to the stadium, permitting spectators to enter the venue.
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