Photo credit: Victor Araiza/Prost America
Argentina have canceled a friendly against Israel due to be played in Jerusalem. The move comes in response to the murders of Palestinian civilians during protests against moving the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
President Trump announced the move earlier this year prompting widespread protest from Palestinians who see East Jerusalem as the future capital of a Palestinian state. International critics say that the Israeli Army reacted with disproportionate violence to the protests opening fire on unarmed civilians wit live rounds, killing over 110 Palestinians in Gaza.
The carnage was broadcast around the world and was seen by Leo Messi among others. Juventus’ Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain told the ESPN sports channel on Tuesday the game had been cancelled.
“They’ve finally done the right thing,” he said.
The Israeli Embassy in Argentina tweeted to confirm that the football friendly between the two countries was off prompting allegations that Messi had been ‘threatened’ from supporters of the Israeli government.
Deutsche Welle reported that:
“The Embassy of Israel regrets to communicate the suspension of the match between Israel and Argentina,” it said, citing “threats and provocations” against Barcelona star and Argentina captain Lionel Messi, one of the world’s most famous footballers, as grounds for the decision.”
This however seemed to be in contrast to many publicly stated views from Higuian and others including coach Sampaoli expressing reservations about both the logistics and the ethics of playing the fixture.
There had been copious protests against the future but nobody has forwarded any proof of specific threats.
Hours before the cancellation was announced, some pro-Palestinian protesters had gathered outside the Argentina team’s training ground in Barcelona and waved Argentina jerseys covered in red paint.
With over 120 civilian deaths at the hands of the Israeli Army, it would have been mystifying if nobody on the Argentina had ethical reservations.
