Qatar:
A video making the rounds on the internet shows a group of English football fans chanting “Liberate Palestine” live on TV during a FIFA World Cup broadcast by an Israeli channel.
The video, uploaded to Twitter, shows a journalist interviewing a group of jubilant England fans for an Israeli TV channel following England’s 3-0 win over Senegal in the Round of 16 on Monday. While reporting live from outside Qatar’s Al Bayt Stadium, the journalist asks the men if France will win the cup. While one of the fans confirms that England can easily beat defending champion France in the upcoming quarter-finals, another jumps in and grabs the reporter to shout “but above all: liberate Palestine”.
After this, the journalist is heard to say “only football” as the group moves away from the camera.
English Fans to Israeli TV: Free Palestine ????????✊????#Liberate Palestinepic.twitter.com/tTI5DMpWdK
— Husam Zomlot (@hzomlot) December 4, 2022
A number of fans have been spotted holding the Palestinian flag during the 2022 FIFA World Cup matches in Qatar. Previously, interactions between Arab fans and Israeli media had gone viral, with in one instance a Saudi fan berating an Israeli TV reporter. In the footage captured by an AFP journalist, the fan shouts, “There is only Palestine, there is no Israel… you are not welcome here”.
In addition, Arab fans have refused to speak to Israeli media in Qatar and some have shouted “Long live Palestine” in front of Israeli TV cameras. Many Qataris have also placed a Palestinian flag next to their own national emblem, hanging from the windows of their cars.
“Some foreigners don’t know the Palestinian flag and ask us about it,” said Yahya Abu Hantash, a 33-year-old Palestinian living in Doha. “This is a golden opportunity to introduce our cause,” he added.
After beating Senegal 3-0 on Monday, England are now through to the quarter-finals where they will face 2018 FIFA World Cup champions France.
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