Israeli Journalists Banned From Press Conferences After Disrupting Match Event
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Two Israeli journalists banned from press conferences.
- Ban follows questions about hijacking and racism.
- Incidents caused a confrontation and ended a press conference.
- Teams to play again in Serbia without spectators.
- Israel is last in its Nations League group.
Two Israeli journalists have reportedly been suspended from attending press conferences following a basketball match between Israel and Ireland. The ban stems from incidents during a press conference the previous evening, according to Irish media reports. The Irish media claims that one journalist raised the topic of a recent attempted hijacking of a Flydubai plane, while another accused an unnamed Irish player of using racist language during the first game. UEFA reportedly viewed these actions seriously and has barred the journalists from post-match media rooms.
During the prior press conference, reporter Liat Bitan of ONE attempted to ask coach Haimir Hallgrímsson about the Flydubai incident, but the question was stopped. Immediately after, Moti Pashchitsky, a reporter for Sport Channel, asked the coach about allegations that Irish players called Israeli players "monkeys" in the previous match. The spokesperson also halted this question, calling it a lie and preventing Pashchitsky from continuing. This led to a loud confrontation, abruptly ending the press conference without further questions under embargo.
The Israeli and Irish national teams are scheduled to play again in Serbia without an audience. In the Nations League standings, Ireland and Kosovo both have 4 points, while Austria leads with 7 points, and Israel is at the bottom with 1 point. Israel's upcoming Nations League matches are against Kosovo on November 14 and Austria on November 17.
