Culture  Sports
Anthem scandal mars Barca visit
Tzvika Brot
Published: 08.08.13, 14:47
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22 Talkbacks for this article
1. Unbelievable hutzpa
Tahl   (08.08.13)
The double-standard in Barcelona's relationship with Israel versus the Palestinians is blatant and glaring. First, only the Israelis were asked to participate in the funding for the event, while the Palestinians were exempt. Second, in Tel Aviv the game was attended by both Jews and Arabs to symbolize coexistence. But in Bethlehem Jews were not allowed to attend the game, only Arabs - where was the 'coexistence' over there? Third, in Bethlehem Barcelona had no problem with playing the Palestinian national anthem, but in Tel Aviv they had a problem with Hatikva. Good that someone in our government has the balls to stand up to Barcelona for this unbelievable hutzpa.
2. Is there a better example of the European double standard?
Arieh ,   Miami   (08.08.13)
"While the Palestinian anthem was played at the Palestinian stadium during the team's visit, the thousands of Israeli students who arrived to watch Barca players in Bloomfield got to hear the Catalan anthem only." Was Hatikvah played in Bethlehem?
3. National Anthem
eabitbol ,   Thornhill, Canada   (08.08.13)
Unbelievable ! Only in Israel ! What a shame ! I hope the Education Ministry should not pay them a cent and sue the organizers for breach of contract !
4. There is only one thing to do
Anshel ,   Canada   (08.08.13)
President Peres should be impeached and removed from the office. He is no longer fit to represent Israel and the Jewish people.The decision of the the Peres Center for Peace (Appeasement) should stop at his desk.
5. National Anthem
Zvi ,   Bat Yam   (08.08.13)
The organizers apparently are toally and definely AMATEURS. The national anthems are played only at officaly sanctioned international games.
6. Barca Will Not Allow Hatikva
Nili ,   Jerusalem   (08.08.13)
In Tel Aviv yet! Send them all packing. It is time we started standing up for ourselves. Notice that the PA has "their anthem" played, and they aren't even a legal country! Those in Tel Aviv who allowed this to happen should be fined and removed~they are not fit for purpose!
7. The difference is ,
Teddy ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (08.08.13)
Barcelona is a city in Spain , Israel is a country. Who really needs these musical symbols before a sporting exhibition ?
8. NO Hatikva
Ezer   (08.08.13)
Completely agree that if there is No Hatikva there should be NO funding.
9. traitor
Brian ,   uk   (08.08.13)
don't trust Peres - he should be representing the Vatican not Israel
10. In your face suckers!!!
(08.08.13)
11. Of course Peres would agree to this humiliaton
Rachel ,   US   (08.08.13)
12. If "Peres" is attached to it, it can't be that good to begin
tom ,   tel aviv   (08.08.13)
with. When will they ever learn?
13. Shimon Peres
Abraham Nachmias ,   Petach Tikva IL   (08.08.13)
This old man is continuously showing what he is! A guetho Jew, not proud to be a Jew, worried just about being "politically correct" so not to offend his european and north american friends, who are so friendly to him that will come to his birthday only if they are paid to do so. Shame on Shimon Peres and shame on Israel for having him as president.
14. Barca Mess - He's a nice old chap (Peres) but
Adam ,   Zichron Yaacov   (08.08.13)
it's a good job he's not in charge otherwise we'd all be parked up in Cyprus !!
15. #1
Dennis ,   US   (08.08.13)
Agree with you 100%, but I wouldnt want to let any Israelis into Bethlehem, unless we could secure them, and the cost for that would be way too high. Of course, the Palis are fairly secure in israel, because we are more civilized....
16. Unbelievable hutzpa
Aaron Sagranichne ,   Henderson U.S.   (08.08.13)
Your are 100% right
17. chutzpah comes with a prize.
tiki ,   belgium   (08.08.13)
Not playing your own anthem Hatikvah on Israeli soil? Unheard of! How dare they! Furthermore, in no stadium in the world are Spanish/Catelan anthems both being played and ...........the ""Palestinian anthem"""? An anthem belongs to a country and as a recall ''Palestine" is not a country, because if it was what are the ''peace talks" about? It's about time for Israel to stop being it's own worse enemy. There are enough of them around without the 'domestic help.
18. Now we know why Barca is no longer a powerhouse club
Noodles ,   Coney Island   (08.08.13)
19. It's diplomacy, stupids!
Barça's fan ,   Barcelona, Catalonia   (08.09.13)
I'm a proud FC Barcelona's fan, Catalan patriot supporting the independence of Catalonia, and an open supporter of Zionism (even I volunteered in a kibbutz in my youngs). The reason of don't playing Hatikva was not a desire of FC Barcelona, was a threat of the Spanish embassy to avoid the implicit recognisement of Catalonia by Israel as a nation with the same rank while playing both national anthems at the same event. As a Catalan independentist and Barça's supporter I would be glad to hear ontime both anthems of the two countries I love. So, you can find the reason of everything at Israeli diplomacy balances. But, don't care, in few years we come back again and then Hatikva will be played with honours next to Catalan national anthem ;)
20. Was the organization, not Barça
Michael ,   Basque Contry/IL   (08.09.13)
Reading the article I think that the Barça did not create the problem, but the organizers of the event.
21. That's why loonatics murdered Rabin. He stood in their way
Miron ,   USA   (08.09.13)
while they tried to sell Israel.
22. To 19
Yehuda ,   Israel   (08.10.13)
Why are you lying? There have not been threats by the Spanish embassy. This has nothing to do with the separatism in Catalonia, so don't try to connect it. This is not the place for your separatist deliriums and propaganda, ok?
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