Sport head soccer world cup1/8/2024 ![]() ![]() “You are not welcome here”, a Saudi Arabia fan tells an Israeli journalist in one video. Lebanese, Saudi, Moroccan, Egyptian, Jordanian, Qatari, Yemeni, Tunisian, Palestinian, but also Japanese, Brazilian, Iranian, and other fans have been caught on camera adamantly refusing to engage. Dozens of viral videos have circulated on social media showing Israelis trying to talk with fans and utterly failing. But it did not turn out that way.įans have overwhelmingly rejected Israeli media. The Israeli government probably thought the tournament was an incredible opportunity to demonstrate once again that it is able to overcome the decades-old Arab policy of not engaging with the Israeli colonial state. Israeli media and citizens were allowed to attend the World Cup under FIFA requirements, although Israel and Qatar do not have formal diplomatic ties. Fans from all over the world have been happy to accept and wave Palestinian flags given away by Palestinians in the streets of Doha. ![]() “Free Palestine, Free Palestine”, Brazil fans were heard chanting on the Doha metro, as they headed to their match against Cameroon. Fans hold a Palestinian flag before the Spain vs Germany match at Al Bayt Stadium on Novemīut it has not been just Arabs expressing their support for Palestine. Oh, the most beautiful of all countries, resistĪ number of matches have also seen Palestinian flags raised at the 48th minute, accompanied by pro-Palestinian chants, to remind the world of the Nakba (catastrophe) Palestinians experienced in 1948 when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were dispossessed and turned into refugees for life. Our eyes have been tearing for you for years, Moroccan fans have also been seen celebrating at Doha’s iconic Souq Waqif, singing the famous Rajawi chant: Morocco’s players raised the Palestinian flag on the pitch to celebrate defeating Canada and making it to the round of 16 and then again when they scored a historic victory against Spain to qualify for the quarter-finals. The giant flag kept coming back in subsequent matches.Īt the Tunisia-France game, a Tunisian fan waving the Palestinian flag ran onto the field and did a few flips in the air before being forcibly escorted out by security his feat inspired “Falastin, Falastin!” (Arabic for Palestine) chants in the audience. We saw a big one unfurled at the Tunisia-Australia match on November 26 and then another one at the Morocco-Belgium match a day later. Fans hold a large Palestinian flag at the Tunisia vs Australia match at the FIFA World Cup 2022 on November 26, in Doha, Qatar Indeed, the Palestinian flag is a sign of Arab political agency and has been a constant feature in the stands at football matches. It brings memories of powerful moments during the attempted revolutions from more than a decade ago when Arabs also flew the Palestinian flag and chanted “free Palestine” alongside their demands for freedom and dignity. In this rare Arab vox populi moment, supporting Palestine appears to be an expression of freedom, a symbol of resistance not only against the continuous occupation of Palestine but also against the neo-colonial order of repressive Arab regimes. It has also given people from the region space to gather in large numbers without the usual fear of repression.Īs a result, Palestine has automatically taken centre stage, uniting Arabs in a joyful and celebratory atmosphere and reaffirming their commitment to the Palestinian cause. Hence, it has been more accessible – geographically, logistically and culturally – to people from the region than any previous World Cup. This year’s edition of the World Cup is the first one ever to be held in an Arab country. It is a huge gathering of people from around the world coming together to share their passion for football and celebrate diversity and human solidarity. ![]() It is because the World Cup is much more than a sporting event. Keep reading list of 4 items list 1 of 4 What records and awards does Lionel Messi hold? list 2 of 4 Cristiano Ronaldo scores winner in record 200th game for Portugal list 3 of 4 Kylian Mbappe informs PSG he will not extend contract: Media list 4 of 4 Qatar World Cup: Watchdog says FIFA’s carbon-neutral claims false end of listīut the Palestinian national team is not playing, so why is Palestine so ubiquitously present? ![]()
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