Israel don push diplomatic pressure as AZ go face Hapoel Be’er Sheva for Europa League match, with only three days remain before the game. The Israeli ambassador call Alkmaar mayor Anja Schouten on telephone this afternoon and raise big question about why Alkmaar ban Israeli supporters, Israeli embassy confirm to Nieuwsuur.
Ambassador Zvi Aviner Vapni talk say everything must do to allow Israeli supporters enter match in safe way, even if na small number. If that one no possible, Israel want make dem move match to place where e go possible, maybe outside the country.
Spokesperson for mayor tell Nieuwsuur say decision to block away fans still stand, and Thursday football go happen for Alkmaar without away crowd.
Diplomatic contact also happen for higher level. Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar raise the matter with Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen, according to newspaper The Israel Times. Foreign Affairs ministry say dem dey in continuous contact with Israeli authorities and the matter indeed come up, but dem no talk about wetin dem discuss.
Late last month, Alkmaar decide say no Israeli supporters go enter Europa League duel against AZ, wey go happen on 15 October for AFAS-stadion in Alkmaar. Even though UEFA give Israeli club supporters ‘medium risk profile’, Alkmaar municipality mark the match as ‘(very) high risk’ because of geopolitical context. The municipality point directly to riots around Ajax-Maccabi Tel Aviv match in 2024. The mayor bin take advice from Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema.
Nieuwsuur get contact with some Israeli supporters wey still plan to come Netherlands. Alkmaar municipality say dem dey consider possible presence of ‘unknown number’ of Israeli supporters outside stadium. Also, two pro-Palestinian demonstrations don announce.
Mayor of Belgian city Leuven before decide say match between Royale Union Saint-Gillouse and Hapoel Be’er Sheva cannot play for him city at all ‘because of public safety’. The two clubs go meet on 22 October for Düsseldorf stadium. Also match between Turkish Beşiktaş and Hapoel Be’er Sheva, wey originally for Turkey on 26 November, don move to Batumi-stadion in Georgia.
Alkmaar dey prepare for Europa League match between AZ and Hapoel Be’er Sheva tonight. Demonstrations and protest march don announce around stadium. In this liveblog, we dey keep you updated on how match and demonstrations dey go.
Demonstrators now dey return to station with two buses. According to NH reporter on ground, demonstrations ‘peaceful’. ‘Here and there, some misunderstanding among AZ supporters and one soft drink can thrown, but otherwise everything quiet,’ the reporter talk.
Mayor Schouten ask demonstrators to remove symbols when dem reach stadium. According to NH reporter on ground, dem no obey. Demonstrators also no follow route wey dem choose, but police escort dem to designated place.
Protest march to AZ stadium don start. For designated place near stadium, municipality allow demonstrators to protest. According to NH reporter on ground, about 20 to 30 demonstrators dey waka. Police still give permission to carry flags and symbols during march.
First pro-Palestinian demonstrators dey gather for station. According to NH reporter on ground, police tell them say dem fit choose: bus carry dem to designated place, or walk to that place without flags and symbols. E never clear wetin go happen if dem no do so. Action group Week4Palestine also call demonstrators on social media to only bring out flags and symbols near stadium.
