In recent months, we have seen numerous demonstrations of support for
the Palestinian people in sporting competitions. This is a way of
amplifying voices that are too often silenced elsewhere. ---- The
struggle against the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza is primarily
carried out through concrete actions such as strikes, demonstrations,
blockades of arms shipments (as seen in Marseille and Italy), and the
Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel. It is also
taking place in a sector that at first glance seems more trivial: sport.
Indeed, for years, but with a significant increase since 2023, sport has
become an important tool both for the fight against genocide and for
propaganda purposes for Israel. Sport is political; it always has
been[1], and its instrumentalization is inherent to its very existence.
It is therefore not surprising that this is also one of the battlegrounds.
While Russian teams and athletes can no longer compete under the Russian
flag or are banned from almost all official global sporting competitions
as of 2022, following the start of the war in Ukraine, Israel and its
athletes have not received the same treatment. It wasn't until 2025 that
FIFA and UEFA, which respectively govern world and European football,
began to address the issue and continue to postpone a vote. Even the
assassination by the Israeli army of the "Palestinian Pelé," Suleiman
Obeid, while he was waiting for humanitarian aid, will change nothing.
For now, sporting institutions refuse to ban Israel, even though it is
committing genocide before our very eyes. This would be the very least
they could do.
For Israel, sport is a powerful tool of propaganda. Its athletes
continually reaffirm their support for the country and contribute to
improving its image. Israeli fans use stadiums to chant anti-Palestinian
slogans, attack Muslims, or tear down any Palestinian flag or symbol in
the cities they visit. This is how clashes occurred in Amsterdam in
November 2024 with Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters after the latter's
violent behavior, including assaults. Israel and its allies immediately
tried to portray the response as antisemitic, far removed from the
reality of the situation. In October 2025, these same fans were banned
from attending another match in Birmingham. The false accusations of
antisemitism resurfaced, even prompting support for the Israeli club
from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who denounced his own authorities.
Demonstration against the presence of an Israeli cycling team in the
2025 Vuelta a España.
Nevertheless, the struggle continues. And the world of sport is also
being targeted by pro-Palestinian activists. The final stage of the
Vuelta 2025 in Spain[2]was canceled following massive protests against
the presence of an Israeli cycling team. In Italy, every match of the
national football team has been met with boycotts and demonstrations.
And in France, the France-Israel match resulted in the lowest attendance
ever recorded at the Stade de France[3]. Initiatives are multiplying to
counter Israeli propaganda on this front and call for an end to the
genocide. Mobilization must continue at all levels, and sport must not
be left behind, to avoid being sidelined.
Sano (UCL Marseille)
Submit
[1]See "Paris Olympic Games: Propaganda, Ableism and Big Capital,"
Alternative libertaire no. 352, September 2024.
[2]The Spanish equivalent of the Tour de France.
[3]16,611 spectators for 80,000 seats.
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Anti-colonialisme-La-lutte-pour-la-Palestine-se-joue-aussi-dans-le-sport
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
the Palestinian people in sporting competitions. This is a way of
amplifying voices that are too often silenced elsewhere. ---- The
struggle against the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza is primarily
carried out through concrete actions such as strikes, demonstrations,
blockades of arms shipments (as seen in Marseille and Italy), and the
Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign against Israel. It is also
taking place in a sector that at first glance seems more trivial: sport.
Indeed, for years, but with a significant increase since 2023, sport has
become an important tool both for the fight against genocide and for
propaganda purposes for Israel. Sport is political; it always has
been[1], and its instrumentalization is inherent to its very existence.
It is therefore not surprising that this is also one of the battlegrounds.
While Russian teams and athletes can no longer compete under the Russian
flag or are banned from almost all official global sporting competitions
as of 2022, following the start of the war in Ukraine, Israel and its
athletes have not received the same treatment. It wasn't until 2025 that
FIFA and UEFA, which respectively govern world and European football,
began to address the issue and continue to postpone a vote. Even the
assassination by the Israeli army of the "Palestinian Pelé," Suleiman
Obeid, while he was waiting for humanitarian aid, will change nothing.
For now, sporting institutions refuse to ban Israel, even though it is
committing genocide before our very eyes. This would be the very least
they could do.
For Israel, sport is a powerful tool of propaganda. Its athletes
continually reaffirm their support for the country and contribute to
improving its image. Israeli fans use stadiums to chant anti-Palestinian
slogans, attack Muslims, or tear down any Palestinian flag or symbol in
the cities they visit. This is how clashes occurred in Amsterdam in
November 2024 with Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters after the latter's
violent behavior, including assaults. Israel and its allies immediately
tried to portray the response as antisemitic, far removed from the
reality of the situation. In October 2025, these same fans were banned
from attending another match in Birmingham. The false accusations of
antisemitism resurfaced, even prompting support for the Israeli club
from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who denounced his own authorities.
Demonstration against the presence of an Israeli cycling team in the
2025 Vuelta a España.
Nevertheless, the struggle continues. And the world of sport is also
being targeted by pro-Palestinian activists. The final stage of the
Vuelta 2025 in Spain[2]was canceled following massive protests against
the presence of an Israeli cycling team. In Italy, every match of the
national football team has been met with boycotts and demonstrations.
And in France, the France-Israel match resulted in the lowest attendance
ever recorded at the Stade de France[3]. Initiatives are multiplying to
counter Israeli propaganda on this front and call for an end to the
genocide. Mobilization must continue at all levels, and sport must not
be left behind, to avoid being sidelined.
Sano (UCL Marseille)
Submit
[1]See "Paris Olympic Games: Propaganda, Ableism and Big Capital,"
Alternative libertaire no. 352, September 2024.
[2]The Spanish equivalent of the Tour de France.
[3]16,611 spectators for 80,000 seats.
https://www.unioncommunistelibertaire.org/?Anti-colonialisme-La-lutte-pour-la-Palestine-se-joue-aussi-dans-le-sport
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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