A heated controversy broke out on social networks following the publication of a video by Moroccan footballer Hakim Ziyech, commenting on incidents that occurred during a Europa League match between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv last Thursday.
The former Ajax player, now at Galatasaray, joked about the flight of Israeli supporters after clashes with Dutch police in Amsterdam, adding: “Palestine will remain free.” His comments, considered provocative by some, triggered a wave of criticism in Israel, notably from Eran Zahavi, Maccabi Tel Aviv player, who asked the European Union to sanction Ziyech for “supporting terrorism”.
Read: Hakim Ziyech insulted as “Stupid” by an Israeli player
Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters are accused of causing unrest by tearing down and tearing up a Palestinian flag in the streets of Amsterdam and uttering anti-Arab insults. Dutch police made numerous arrests to put an end to the violence which followed the match won 5-0 by Ajax.
Faced with the controversy, many Internet users came to the defense of Ziyech, known for his commitment to the Palestinian cause. Last September, he had already expressed his opposition to normalization with Israel on Instagram.
“When it’s not about women and children, you see them fleeing quickly, and Palestine will remain free,” Ziyech said in his Instagram story, fueling tensions between the two camps.
Morocco
