This week Israeli fans were subjected to antisemitic attacks that were described as “terrorism in every sense of the word.”
Anti-Israel activists infiltrated the game for a single purpose, to attack and intimidate Israeli fans.
The thugs burned an Israeli flag, set off fireworks towards Israeli fans, threw stones and other projectiles and more. Israeli fans were surrounded by aggressive anti-Israel protesters and were stopped from leaving the stadium by security forces. They were boxed in on all sides.
Anti-Israel banners were on full display, including one claiming, “The capital of Palestine is Jerusalem”. Hezbollah flags were also flown at the event in support of the Iran-backed terror group that seeks Israel’s destruction.
“There was unprecedented chaos and a failure of security here,” an official said.
Fans said they were intimidated by the officers, who were aggressive toward them. Some of those in attendance told the Kan public broadcaster that police made no effort to arrest the rioters.
הם כה מתרגשים לקראתנו שזה מרגש pic.twitter.com/UzAM22ule6
— Neomi Braunschvig (@NeomiRubin) April 12, 2023
“From the start of the game there was a very hostile atmosphere against the Israelis,” Tal Hakim told Kan. He added there were “many Palestinian and Hezbollah flags and attempts to enter our stand and set the Israeli flag on fire.”
“A quarter of an hour after the game started, they began to throw bricks and rocks at us, and even injured some fans. We were confined to a small area to not get hurt. A quarter of an hour after that, they began to launch fireworks at us and burned the clothes of one of the fans.
“Everyone was waiting for the game to end so they could get home in one piece,” he said.
The game, the second in a FIBA Champions League quarterfinal series, ended in a 94-78 AEK victory.
The Israeli team said in a statement that it considered the incident “terrorism in every sense of the word.”
“We explored options to remove Israeli fans at halftime, but Greeks surrounded them and there were fears of a violent pogrom. The team won’t ignore these events and a complaint will be filed to FIBA,” it said in a statement.
— Basketball Champions League (@BasketballCL) April 13, 2023
The International basketball federation FIBA has opened up a probe into the violence by Greek fans.
In a statement, FIBA’s Basketball Champions League (BCL) says disciplinary proceedings have been opened, adding that “clubs that are unable to provide… a safe environment will be sanctioned accordingly.”
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