Pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged protests this weekend outside the European Baseball Championship in Rotterdam, denouncing Israel’s participation in the tournament.
The rallies, held Saturday and Sunday outside Neptunus stadium, were organized by the Palestine Coalition Rotterdam foundation. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and carried placards reading “Stop whitewashing crimes through sports,” “Boycott genocide,” and “Zionism is Nazism, Gaza is Auschwitz.”
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The pro-Palestinian protestors outside Neptunus stadium in Rotterdam
(Photo: Robin Utrecht / ANP / AFP)
A spokesperson told Turkey’s Anadolu Agency on Saturday that it was “unacceptable” for Israel to take part in the competition while violence continues in Gaza. Despite calls to ban the Israeli team, Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten did not exclude it from the tournament.
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Pro-Palestinian demonstration in Rotterdam, before Israel's game in the European Baseball Championship
(Photo: Robin Utrecht / ANP / AFP)
Demonstrators also shouted slogans including “Boycott Israel,” “Israel murders,” “Free Palestine,” and “Death to the IDF.” They addressed fans entering the stadium with chants such as, “Inside sit baby killers. By attending the game, you support them.”
The game between Israel and France on Saturday, which Israel won 8–4, was delayed by about two and a half hours due to rain. Later, police moved the protesters to a nearby area and allowed spectators to enter the stadium.