ZCZC
BSP-04
FBL-ESP-REALMADRID-ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS
Real Madrid accused of ‘encouraging aggression’ by Israeli officials
MADRID, Sept 30, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Real Madrid were criticised by Israeli
officials on Saturday after Ahed Tamimi, a teenager associated with
Palestinian resistance to the Israeli occupation, was pictured being
presented with a club shirt.
The 17-year-old is visiting Spain this week with her family to participate
in various social and political events.
According to top Spanish sports daily Marca, she was offered a Real jersey
and posed for photos with Emilio Butragueno, the club’s former striker and
now director of institutional relations.
However, Real Madrid has not issued any official statement regarding her
invitation on its social networks or website. When contacted by AFP, the club
declined to comment.
Daniel Kutner, Israel’s ambassador to Spain, wrote on Twitter: “Ahed Tamimi
does not fight for peace, she defends violence and terror, the institutions
that have received and celebrated her indirectly encourage aggression and not
the dialogue and understanding that we need.”
Emmanuel Nahshon, spokesman for the Israeli foreign minister, described the
apparent welcome Real Madrid gave Tamimi as “shameful”, describing her as “a
terrorist inciting to hatred and violence”.
Tamimi has become a figure of Palestinian resistance since spending eight
months in prison for slapping two soldiers from the Israel Defence Forces.
She was released in late July.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0822 hrs