When Scottish team Celtic FC was drawn to compete against Israel’s HaPoel Beersheba, many fans knew exactly how they’d respond.
Organising on Facebook and through international networks, they planned an elaborate protest: flying hundreds of Palestinian flags during their home football match.
Yesterday, the demonstration was pulled off to an astounding effect at Celtic’s home ground. Hundreds of Palestinian flags covered the crowds during the game, turning huge areas of the stadium black, red, white and green.
Fans defied threats of arrest and fines to stage the protest, and were warned by police not to wave flags in the game. Because the match was against an Israeli club, UEFA regards Palestinian flags as provocative, and the club is almost certain to be hit with a fine.
“We knew support was strong,” a member of Celtic Fans for Palestine told Al Bawaba, though he added that some fans and the club were opposed to political demonstrations.
“The roar of support from the stadium when the Palestine display happened shows the majority of fans were in support despite the UEFA fines we are sure to be hit with… vocal approval of the Green Brigade's beautiful defiance, although not entirely surprising in itself, was heartwarming for the level of near uniform support it represented.”
Online, more groups echoed the support of the club, expressing admiration for the protest on Twitter.
There's no crime in showing solidarity with an oppressed people. Never prouder to be a Celtic supporter. #Palestine pic.twitter.com/RIbItOYG3m
— Muireann Fanning (@muireannf) 17 August 2016
LOVE the Celtic! Scottish football fans fly flag of Palestine in match against Israeli team + win 5-2! https://t.co/kbToxkihhp
— Huwaida Arraf (@huwaidaarraf) 18 August 2016
Celtic has a long history of political mobilisation. The club’s heritage is drawn from Irish Catholic communities in Scotland and the working class of urban areas like Glasgow. That’s inspired solidarity with struggles like that of the Palestinian people, and fans have been supporting Palestinians since as early as the first Intifada. Some Celtic supporters have chanted songs in support of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) in matches, and see parallels between Irish and Palestinian struggles.
In facing HaPoel Beersheba, Celtic hoped to show their support for Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement which seeks to boycott Israel, and to demonstrate they stood with the Palestinian people.
And on the pitch? Celtic won 5-2.
