Israel Banned Palestinian Football Tournament

Al-Quds, MINA – Israeli police banned Palestinian football tournaments in the Beit Safafa region, occupied West Jerusalem district on Friday.

Ma’an News Agency from local sources reported that Israeli police forces raided the Beit Safafa soccer field and hung notification of bans issued by Israeli Public Security Minister, Gilad Erdan.

Israel banned soccer tournament from taking place in any field. This was done because Israel reasoned the tournament was under the auspices of Palestinian Authority (PA) which aimed to inflame “Palestinian Prisoners’ Day”.

This football tournament is organized by Multaqa Ahali al-Quds (Forum Jerusalemites) and Jerusalem Club Association. Khaled Sabbah, Chair of Jerusalemites Forum stressed that the forum was anti-political and was not affiliated with any Palestinian political actor.

He also explained that the tournament consisted of 12 teams with players aged only 12 and 13 years, from the West Jerusalem district.

Israeli illegal settlements built a barrier, automatically separating Beit Safafa from the West Bank.

The area has poor infrastructure conditions, besides that the population continues to experience violence and detention by Israeli forces. (T/Sj/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)