Maccabi Tel Aviv Not Nazis, Maccabi Haifa Not Hamas, Says Sports Analyst
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Sports reporter Shlomo Weiss criticized the "Green Monkeys" fan group for using the term "Nazis" in relation to Maccabi Tel Aviv fans after player Eli Dasa joined Maccabi Haifa. Weiss argued that such extreme language, including comparisons of Maccabi Haifa to Hamas or Hezbollah, must be removed from Israeli discourse. He called for an end to the silence surrounding these inflammatory statements within the country.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Analyst Shlomo Weiss condemned the use of "Nazis" to describe Maccabi Tel Aviv fans by the "Green Monkeys."
- Weiss stated Maccabi Haifa fans are not Hamas or Hezbollah, urging removal of such terms from discourse.
- The "Green Monkeys" announced they would not cheer for new player Eli Dasa.
- Weiss compared the situation to international outcry if similar terms were used against Israeli teams abroad.
- He called for an end to silence regarding inflammatory fan language within Israel.
A sports analyst has strongly criticized the use of extreme language by fan groups, particularly the "Green Monkeys" organization, following the transfer of player Eli Dasa to Maccabi Haifa. Shlomo Weiss, who covers Maccabi Haifa for Walla Sport, argued that the term "Nazis" should be removed from Israeli discourse, especially when applied to fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Weiss explained that the "Green Monkeys" announced they would not cheer for Dasa, a decision he doesn't criticize, but he strongly objects to the accompanying statement that "he wanted to choose the Nazis." He emphasized that Maccabi Tel Aviv fans are Jewish and Israeli, and regardless of sports rivalries, such comparisons are unacceptable. He also extended this to Maccabi Haifa, stating they are not Hamas or Hezbollah.
Weiss called for an end to the use of such inflammatory terms in Israeli sports and society. He drew a parallel to international incidents, suggesting that if a European team used similar language against an Israeli team like Hapoel Be'er Sheva, it would cause a major international outcry. He lamented that when such terms are used within Israel, like calling one fan group "Hezbollah" or wishing a "Holocaust on Maccabi," there is often silence, and urged an end to this complacency.