Israeli footballers and supporters "are welcome" at the France v Israel Nations League match on Thursday at the Stade de France in Paris, said French Europe minister on Tuesday.
Were they ‘just trying to watch a sporting event’ when they chanted “Death to the Arabs,” “Let the IDF fuck the Arabs,” “Why is there no school in Gaza? There are no children left there,” tore down Palestinian flags, and assaulted taxi drivers?
Spoiler
Buried or omitted in most accounts was verified evidence of anti-Arab racism that had occurred prior to these events, including footage of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans tearing down Palestinian flags, attacking taxi drivers, and chanting explicitly racist slogans like “Death to the Arabs” and “Let the IDF fuck the Arabs.”
Minimizing anti-Arab racism and the provocations by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans was not subtle. The BBC’s extensive live blog of the unfolding events quoted 13 Israeli and Jewish sources while allowing just one or two alternative perspectives. Injuries to Israeli fans received detailed documentation and personal accounts, while the impact of racist abuse on local Arab and Muslim residents went largely unexplored.
Videos from Thursday showed Israeli fans shouting anti-Arab chants on their way to the match as the police escorted them near Amsterdam’s central train station to ensure their safety amid anger over the war in the Gaza Strip. One of their chants said: “Why is there no school in Gaza? There are no children left there.”
Amazing how rabid the tankies are in this sub about a group of people who are just trying to watch a sporting event.
Were they ‘just trying to watch a sporting event’ when they chanted “Death to the Arabs,” “Let the IDF fuck the Arabs,” “Why is there no school in Gaza? There are no children left there,” tore down Palestinian flags, and assaulted taxi drivers?
Spoiler
Yep standard soccer hooligan stuff.