On Saturday, 24th March, England played Israel in a Euro 2008 qualifying match. A group of activists picketed the Football Association in Soho Square calling for a Sporting boycott of Apartheid Israel [Newswire Report].
Prevous boycott actions and campaigns include:
Agrexco: 1 | 2 | video | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 Text of Letter to Carmel Agrexco | Apartheid and Agrexco in the Jordan Valley | War on Want's Report - Profiting from the Occupation
Caterpillar: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Caterkiller Shutdown | Jewish Voice for Peace - Rachel Corrie (1978-2003) | Caterkiller
Supermarket protests: Marks and Spencers Stencilled | Repression of M&S Protesters
Academic boycott: AUT Boycott | NAFTHE Boycott | CUPE Ontario | COSATU (South Africa).
Memorials to some of the kids killed by the Israeli Defence Force
The banner says it all
Saturday's vigil commemorated those Palestinian children killed while playing football. From September 2000 to December 2006 869 Palestinian children have been killed, a quarter of those were under twelve. Every month an average of fourteen will die. Many have been killed just playing football.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Boycott Israeli Goods campaign and Jews For Boycotting Israeli Goods, who participated in the vigil outside the FA, are responding to calls from Palestine and calling for a boycott of Israel until it complies with international law and universal principles of human rights. On 9 June, 2005, a coalition of Palestinian Civil Society Organisations issued a "call for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel until it complies with international law’.
The vigil signals the start of a larger campaign in protest against Israel’s inclusion in Euro 2008. England are scheduled to play Israel in London this September.
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International sporting ethics.
15.04.2007 18:07
simon
Campaign to ban China then
26.04.2007 10:37
Ever heard the phrase 'they slaughtered our midfield' in a football match - well, the IDF literally slaughtered Tariq al Quto. Remind me again, why do Israel have to play in Europe anyway ?
Danny
Why is Israel considered part of Europe?
29.04.2007 11:21
Clive
Israel vs Palestine - marred by racism & police brutality
30.04.2007 13:49
"In 1956 the Israel Football Association was admitted to the AFC. In the early 1970s the Israel Football Association was expelled from the AFC due to political pressure from Arab and Muslim states that refused to play against Israel. For 20 years the Israel Football Association was not affiliated with any confederation and was playing provisionally in the OFC and in the UEFA until in 1991 it was admitted to the UEFA as a full member. "
AFC = Asian Football Confederation
OFC = Oceania Football Confederation
"Both the Israel Football Association and the Palestine Football Federation count the 5 international matches played by PFA between 1934-1940 in their record. The current Palestine Football Federation was founded in 1962, but wasn't recognized by FIFA until 1998, after the creation of the Palestinian Authority."
Europe plays with Israel because they don't shoot our midfielders - just our peace-protestors. Simon has a point though, why do any other nations play with us or China or the US ?
Remember that 1998 classic world cup match between the US and Iran ? The BBC and US channels were hyping up possible terrorist attacks. Instead, the Iranian team came out ( to chants of 'USA Number 1') with flowers for their opposing players and went on to win easily 2-1.
As Che said 'It is not just a simple game, it is a weapon of the revolution'.
Danny