Ireland
play Israel in the second leg of the World Cup Qualifiers
in Lansdowne Rd. on Saturday, June 4th.
As
Palestinian solidarity campaigners and football
supporters, we want to use this important sporting
occasion to bring attention to the plight of the
Palestinian population who, for the past 38 years,
have endured a brutal military occupation that includes
curfews, closures, checkpoints and deliberate destruction
of homes, civilian infrastructure and farmland.
In effect - ethnic cleansing.
We
are urging those attending the Ireland -v- Israel
match to show solidarity by displaying the flag
of Palestine, so that our protest will be seen worldwide
by people watching the match.
Racism
in Israeli football
The
Israeli government counters charges of racism and
ill-treatment of Palestinians by pointing to the
inclusion of two Arab-Israeli players in the Israeli
team. In reality, these team members have been subjected
to vile racist taunting at both Israeli league and
international matches by sections of Israeli football
fans. "No Arabs, no terrorism" is one
such chant regularly heard at games.
Repression
of Palestinian Football Team
Whatever
about the abuse meted out to Israeli players of
Palestinian descent, the situation faced by the
Palestinian team as a result of Israeli apartheid
is a lot more serious. Severe travel restrictions
have hampered the team's attempt to qualify for
the World Cup. Israel prevented 5 players from travelling
to the World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan. Team
members are regularly detained at checkpoints and
prevented from travelling to and from practice and
games.
Dying
for the Game
The
Israeli government's commitment to ?fair play? in
sport was witnessed most recently in Rafah refugee
camp in Gaza. On the 9th of April 2005, a group
of boys were playing football in an open area when
the ball was kicked towards the border fence. When
the kids ran after it, Israeli soldiers opened fire
at them, killing two, aged 14 and 15. It is conceivable
that by Kick Off on June 4th, other such atrocities
will have occurred.
Politics
and Sport
Some
people say that politics and sport don't mix and
that politics should be kept out of sport. We argue
that the two are often inseparable. The families
and friends of the kids in Rafah and across Palestine
might tend to agree.
As
sports fans ourselves, we can point to examples
in history where sporting events have been used
by callous governments to influence their political
standing abroad. The international rugby tour by
the South African Springboks was intended to bolster
the image of apartheid abroad. The economic and
sporting boycott of South Africa in the 1980s had
a huge effect in raising public awareness and helped
to bring down Apartheid.
SOME
FACTS
We
urge all Irish people, and especially football fans,
to join the campaign to highlight injustice in Palestine
by flying the flag on June 4th. Flags will be distributed
outside Lansdowne Road.
We
ask fans to bring in flags and banners and display
them during the match.
Events
on June 4th in Dublin
Central
Bank, Dame St. * 3pm * Street Theatre + March to
Israeli Embassy
* 5pm * Picket
Lansdowne
Road * from 6pm * Leafleting & flags distribution
for Match
Want
to help the campaign?
Phone 085 7207775 or e-mail flagsforfootball@eircom.net
