September 4 – The Israel-Palestine conflict has spilled over into the Israeli top-flight domestic league after 12 fans were arrested when fighting broke out between fans of Hapoel Beersheba and Israeli-Arab side Bnei Sakhnin – and the match subsequently abandoned.
The attack happened after fans of visiting Bnei Sakhnin turned their backs during the national anthem ahead of kick-off.
The perceived offense led dozens of Beersheba fans storming the pitch.
In the ensuing melee, five fans from Hapoel and seven from Bnei Sakhnin were arrested according to local media.
After the incident, Bnei Sakhnin Chairman Muhammad Abu Younes ordered his team to walk off and although all parties agreed to restart the game, the Sakhnin players refused saying they were too scared.
“I never thought this could happen,” Younes said of Sunday’s debacle. “The question is, will we suffer a technical loss or will we not be held guilty for what happened.”
Following the match Israeli interior minister Ben Gvir demanded Sakhnin club is kicked out of the league by the Israeli FA.
An Israeli league statement said: “The police commander at the stadium informed the Sakhnin players that there were no obstacles to holding the match, and police forces were deployed to ensure the game’s proper conduct. Despite this, some Sakhnin players refused to return to the field. The matter will be referred to the disciplinary committee for resolution.”
Alona Barkat, Hapoel Beersheba’s owner, denounced the behaviour of her club’s fans but described the Bnei Sakhnin provocation as “outrageous” coming as it did after the execution of six hostages held by Hamas.
“I think what we saw today is part of the phenomenon of dishonoring the national anthem,” she said. “Even on such an emotional day, we can’t respect the anthem?”
Sakhnin mayor and former Bnei Sakhnin chairman Mazan Ganaim agreed the gesture “crossed red lines” but accused the Beersheba fans of planning the violence.
“How do you explain that 200 masked people with sticks bursting on to the pitch?” he asked.
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