Subhi Agrawal
Around 50 Italy fans dressed in all black turned their backs during Israel’s national anthem, showing protest before a Nations League match held in neutral Hungary on Monday, September 9.
Israel Has Moved It’s Game To Hungary
The fans also displayed an Italian flag which showed the word “Liberta” (Freedom) on it. Other banners included black slashes put up by the “Ultra” supporters.
Amid the ongoing conflict, Israel has moved its game to Hungary.
Viktor Orbán, Hungarian Prime Minister has a close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and in Europe has promoted Hungary as the safest country for Jews. Orbán believes Palestinian solidarity protests are a threat to public safety and banned them.
The group that turned their back against the Israeli national anthem also chanted loudly during the first half against the Italian anti-fascist activist Ilaria Salis, according to Italian daily Corriere della Sera. In June Salis was released from house arrest in Budapest following charges of assaulting far-right protesters.
Salis was freed after being elected as a new member of the European Parliament for the Italian Green and Left Alliance.
Belgium 3-1 Win Over Israel
In Italy Salis became a major political issue following the pictures showing her handcuffed and shackled in a courtroom, facing the trial in Hungary.
The match between Israel and Italy was held at Bozsik Arena in Budapest. Meanwhile, Belgium claimed a 3-1 victory over Israel on Friday played in Debrecen, Hungary. The match was a home game for Belgium, However, “no local authority in Belgium considers it possible,” the Belgian soccer federation stated in July to arrange a game against Israel for security purposes.
Italy is all set to host Israel in Udine on October 14. However, Udine’s city council has not endorsed the match and a pro-Palestinian protest has also been planned for the same day.
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