The ongoing bloodshed in Gaza has exposed fissures between the board of Celtic FC and the club's supporters.
Celtic supporters have consistently voiced their support for the people of Palestine over the years. Yet this week, the club banned the Green Brigade supporter group from home matches for 'shaming the club'. The Green Brigade feel their solidarity with Palestinians is behind the ban.
A complicating factor in how both club and supporters respond to this crisis is the fact that Celtic have an Israeli player on their books: winger Leil Abada, a fan favourite who joined the club last season.
Israelis - including the national team manager - have certainly noted the happenings at Celtic this week and are looking to score some political points.
Green Brigade banned
After the club were fined £23,000 by UEFA for the use of pyro at a heated away fixture in Rotterdam in September, the board of Celtic took action against the famed supporters group the Green Brigade by banning fans associated with the group from attending home matches and slashing their away ticket allocation. Allegations of intimidation against police and other club officials were cited as further evidence that action needed to be taken.
There were reports that any show of support for Palestine by Celtic fans during their Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid last week would result in sanctions against the club by UEFA, with fans reporting that club officials and police outside Celtic Park were confiscating banners and flags in support of Palestine.
In the end, many Celtic fans waved Palestinian flags during 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.
BREAKING 🚨🚨🚨
Celtic fans react predictably to the threat of fines from UEFA for any show of support for Palestine. pic.twitter.com/PDaYfehWme— Politics For You (@PoliticoForYou) October 25, 2023
The Green Brigade believe that their political stance is the real reason behind the ban and not the reasons that the club have stated.
An official statement from the Green Brigade read as follows;
"Despite disingenuous claims, we have absolutely no doubt that these sanctions are motivated by a desire to quash political expression within the Celtic support, specifically in relation to Palestine at this time. In spite of this, and any further obstruction, we once again encourage fans to courageously fly the flag for Palestine.”
The club were sanctioned in 2016 after a pro-Palestine display during a qualifying fixture against Israeli club, Hapoel Beer Sheva.
Alon Hazan says Celtic fans are 'anti-semitic'
Celtic's stance towards its own supporters regarding the Palestine issue has generated plenty of interest over in Israel. Current Israel manager Alon Hazan this week accused Celtic supporters of being anti-semitic. He also claimed Abada had played a role in framing the club's response to the Green Brigade.
"Liel Abada doesn't need me to step into his shoes. He did his military national service to the state and did a fine job. He demanded that Celtic's management issue a condemnation against their fans, who are known to be anti-
Semitic, even though there were many Israeli players who played for this club."
Current Maccabi Tel-Aviv captain Eran Zahawi meanwhile said Celtic fans support Hamas.
"I think the national team players abroad are doing an excellent job. In the case of Liel Abada, you see that his club revoked season tickets to people who supported Hamas and that's solely because of Liel's actions.
Celtic have vehemently denied Hazan's allegations and released statement on the matter. It reads as follows;
“Any suggestion that the Celtic support is anti-Semitic is totally inaccurate. Celtic is a diverse club, proud to be open to all, ever since its formation in 1888.
Everyone at Celtic Football Club continues to give Liel our full support.”
That support has been matched by a number of Celtic fans on social media over the past 24 hours, who've made it clear their problem is not with their own defender but with the actions of his government.
I read that the Israel team manager described Celtic fans as 'anti-semitic' and urged Liel Abada to 'defy the haters.' I have never heard an anti-Jewish remark at Celtic Park. Criticism of Israel is not anti-semitism. Liel we love you in the hoops, get back soon mate. HH pic.twitter.com/hmHFQBkLu4
— Lisbon Lion (@tirnaog_09) November 3, 2023
I've heard some amount of absolute shite over the past few weeks and days, but this utter drivel being spouted that anyone connected to Celtic has an issue with Liel Abada being at our club is the biggest pile of bullshit you'll hear. Can't wait to see him back in the hoops. pic.twitter.com/HqhiYDlY4O
— Boyle (@Boyle_67) November 2, 2023
"It's not the Creed nor Nationality that counts. It's the man himself."
LIEL ABADA 💚🍀 pic.twitter.com/XNDJiwF4g9— Celtic Curio (@Celticcurio) November 2, 2023
Anyone else just really looking forward to Liel Abada playing for Celtic again because he’s an incredibly talented football player?!
— Darren Connell (@DarrenConnell87) November 3, 2023
