When Warned Not to Raise Palestinian Flags Against Israel, They Raised Thousands

Celtic fans were warned by UEFA and police not to raise Palestinian flags in their match against their Israeli opponents,  Hapoel Be’er Sheva. But instead, half the stadium bleachers were dressed in Palestinian flags.

Celtic played against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Wednesday night at Celtic Park, in the Champion’s League’s first playoff round. The Scottish football team won against the Israeli’s with a score of 5-2. However, they are set to meet again for the second game on the 23rd of August but on Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s grounds this time.

This fan-synchronization happened with the help of the Facebook group launched by ‘Celtic fans for Palestine‘ with more than 1,000 goers.

According to Newsweek, Celtic is a club of Irish Roman Catholic roots and therefore the majority of the fans are Catholic. Irish Catholics are known for being pro-Palestine in their stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with many viewing the Palestinian cause as similar to that of the Irish under British occupation in Northern Ireland.

Two years ago something similar happened; at that time fans waved Palestinian flags at a game against Iceland’s KR Reykjavik. UEFA fined Celtic $20,750. According to RT, UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee took action based on Article 16 (2) (e), which forbids political, ideological and religious messages at sports events.

WE SAID THIS: Go Celtic!