Why it matters:
The demonstration, which took place ahead of the EuroLeague basketball game between Virtus Bologna and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv, reflects growing international backlash against Israel’s actions in Gaza, with activists calling for boycotts of Israeli sports teams.
The big picture:
The clashes in Bologna underscore how international sports competitions are increasingly becoming entangled with geopolitical tensions, amplifying calls for boycotts and solidarity movements.
State of play:
Police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds.
Protesters lit fireworks, waved Palestinian flags, and chanted anti-Israel slogans outside the arena.
These incidents have drawn global attention to the impact of events and developments occurring in the occupied territories of Palestine.
Context:
The EuroLeague match became a flashpoint for pro-Palestinian activism in Italy.
Similar protests have emerged across Europe in recent weeks, targeting Israeli cultural and sporting events.
Go deeper:
Pro-Palestinian rallies held in Rome
Pro-Palestinian demonstrations held in Italy
Hossein Amiri - m.sarabi
