SPORTS BLOG
We are all familiar with Western hypocrisy. If not, let me refresh your memory. Defend human rights, but not all human rights. We saw it when there was support for Ukraine from a large number of European football teams after the Russian attack. But there was no solidarity with the Palestinians or with any other nation where people are being killed.
Qatar was rebuked by the world for its refusal to acknowledge or accept anything to do with queer people. That same world hardly flinched when France banned face coverings in public spaces or the Muslim headscarf in schools and universities. Are you beginning to see the hypocrisy?
Let’s also be real; Qatar is by no means an angel state. It deserves to be criticized for a number of things, such as its treatment of workers during the construction of stadiums. If you are going to be criticized for not accepting the LGBTIQ+ community, let’s hold other nations to the same standards when they infringe on the rights of others.
This World Cup has had some brilliant moments, both footballing and social. One of the best things that has come out of it has been support for Palestine. What al jazeera Say it: “There is already an early winner: Palestine.”
Israel’s snub
Israeli journalists have been snubbed by fanatics around the world. In cases where fans spoke to Israeli journalists, fans expressed their support for Palestine, as shown below:
Although this is a fervent display of wanting nothing to do with Israel, others may see it as a game in Israel’s hand, which would invoke feelings of sympathy for the apartheid nation. Israel will play the anti-Semitic card and get well wishes on social media.
In 2022, countries like Morocco, Sudan and the United Arab Emirates signed agreements on diplomacy with Israel. This probably made the Israelis believe that they would be welcome in these regions. But studies show that most people still share a disdain for Israel despite its diplomatic ties.
There are reports of Israelis being thrown out of restaurants and taxis. Any notion of acceptance by the Qatari public will surely have fallen by the wayside. Although the leaders are diplomatic, the public is not.
palestinian support
Morocco and other teams have been consistent in their support for Palestine. Morocco and other teams from North Africa and the Middle East have unfurled the flag after every match.
After Israeli forces killed a 23-year-old man and took his body away to avoid burial, Morocco’s highlighting its support for Palestine shows that the Palestinian cause will not go away.
A friend who attended four matches in Qatar said: “What struck me the most is the solidarity with Palestine. Fans everywhere sang Palestinian songs, waved the flag and showed visible signs of support.”
It’s lovely to watch, especially as Fifa and Uefa are known to be tough when it comes to political matters. But Palestine is a human rights issue. Celtic Football Club has been fined twice in recent years for fans waving Palestinian flags at European matches.
In an earlier match involving Tunisia, a fan ran onto the pitch waving the Palestinian flag.
strong solidarity
During Tuesday’s World Cup match, when Spain beat Morocco, fans chanted for Palestine against Israel’s brutal murders.
Morocco has been particularly vocal in different parts of Qatar.
These have been throughout the tournament no matter who was playing. In some games, in the 48th minute, the chants and flags were even louder. This was a reminder of the 1948 Nakba, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were violently driven from their homes.
Side note, check out Farha on Netflix. Here is the trailer:
Remember the hypocrisy I mentioned? Well, Russia is banned from FIFA and UEFA tournaments for occupying Ukraine. Guess what? The illegal occupation of Palestine has not seen Israel excluded from any FIFA tournament or match.
Luxury that.
