VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS) – A pro-Palestine protest was held Tuesday evening outside the Tony Bezzina Stadium in Corradino, where Israeli football club Maccabi Tel Aviv faced Ħamrun Spartans in a UEFA Europa League qualifier.
Activists from groups including Watermelon Warriors, Ġustizzja għall-Palestina, Lebanese Advocates, and Moviment Graffitti gathered to denounce Israel’s participation in international sport amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Chanting slogans such as “Palestine will be free” and “Israel is a terrorist state,” protesters waved Palestinian flags and held signs calling for Israeli football teams to be banned from global competitions.
“Hosting this match sends a dangerous message of impunity whilst Gaza faces genocide,” organisers said in a joint statement.
Heavy police presence and roadblocks kept protesters several metres away from the stadium. All matchgoers were frisked at the checkpoint and had to walk the final stretch to the venue.
Despite the controversy, no Israeli supporters attended the game, leaving the away stand empty. The protest remained peaceful throughout, with no reported incidents. The game ended in a 2-1 victory for Maccabi Tel Aviv.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS)
