Pro-Palestinian Groups Protest Ahead of Hapoel Tel Aviv's Match in Italy

Hapoel Tel Aviv is preparing for a crucial Conference League playoff match against Atalanta in Bergamo, Italy, on Thursday. Ahead of the game, pro-Palestinian organizations and the BDS movement have launched a campaign urging local media and social groups in Bergamo not to cooperate with the Israeli team. They accuse Israel of apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and genocide against Palestinians, calling the presence of the Israeli team in the city a form of normalization and "sportswashing" of alleged crimes against humanity.

The BDS statement highlights claims that Israel has destroyed Palestinian football stadiums, turning them into refugee camps or detention centers, and alleges that over 807 Palestinian athletes, including at least 420 footballers, have been killed by Israeli forces. The groups emphasize the suffering of Palestinian children who have lost limbs due to military actions. They demand Israel's exclusion from UEFA and FIFA, citing appeals from Palestinian sports federations.

Despite the protests, Hapoel Tel Aviv will play Atalanta in Bergamo on Thursday. Atalanta, with a significantly larger budget, is a strong contender to advance and possibly win the tournament. The second leg will take place next Thursday at Hapoel's home ground in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, where the Israeli team hopes to cause a major upset.

This protest continues a pattern of political activism surrounding Israeli sports teams competing internationally, reflecting ongoing tensions related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.