'More importantly... Free Palestine!': England fans cheer on Palestinian cause at Qatar World Cup
'More importantly... Free Palestine!': England fans cheer on Palestinian cause at Qatar World Cup
England fans have called for a free Palestine during live interviews, including on Israeli TV, at the Qatar World Cup.
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England fans at the Qatar 2022 World Cup have gone viral on social media for shouting "Free Palestine" in TV interviews during the tournament.
One iconic moment was caught on camera on Sunday after England’s 3-0 World Cup win against Senegal, seeing them through to the quarter finals.
An Israeli presenter asked a group of four English fans if football is "coming home" - a hopeful call to victory by England supporters - to which one responded - "course it is yeah... but... more importantly… Free Palestine!"
He then raised the presenter's hands into the air before walking off.
The Israeli presenter appeared vexed by the statement and was heard saying "no, come on" to the group of fans.
Another England fan, wearing face paint and an England jersey, made the same call to an Al Jazeera reporter last week – receiving a very different reaction from the host.
"Just two things to say: One, football, it's coming home," he said to the cheers of a small crowd surrounding him.
My favourite kind of compatriot 🥹🏴
— Halima Khan (@HalimaNyomi) December 2, 2022
Go on lad, make us proud! pic.twitter.com/LWmhHYjpye
"Number two, Filasteen Horra!," he shouted, meaning 'Free Palestine' in Arabic.
He then jumped up and down with other fans in celebration.
Palestine has received widespread support from football fans at the Qatar World Cup, raising Palestinian flags and singing chants in support of the cause.
The Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour declared last week that the "already known" winner of the tournament is Palestine, as its flag is "carried by people from every corner of the Arab World and the rest of the globe".
Arab football fans have also refused to speak to Israeli journalists countless times during the tournament.
The strong support for Palestine at the World Cup by fans stands in stark contrast with the moves by some Arab governments to normalise ties with Israel.
Analysts have pointed out that it shows that the Palestinian cause is still high on the agenda among the Arab people.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967 and has held Gaza under suffocating siege for more than a decade.
At least 146 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces this year.
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