Pro-Palestinian protestors block Rotterdam stadium ahead of Israel-France baseball match
Several dozen pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked the entrance to Neptunus baseball club in Rotterdam-West Saturday, protesting Israel’s participation in the European Baseball Championship (EK) opening match against France.
About 40 protesters carried flags and wore black-and-white scarves, Rijnmond reported. They staged a sit-in and moved barriers to block the stadium entrance. “We will not allow Zionists to come to Rotterdam and play baseball,” one demonstrator told the newspaper. “We will do everything to stop that.”
A spokesperson for the Rotterdam Palestina Coalitie (RPC), which organized the protest, said the goal was to make a statement against what they called the arrival of “war criminals.” “We hope the French team players do not play against Israel, but I don’t think that will happen,” the spokesperson said.
During the protest, an activist shouted at supporters: “You are complicit because you are coming to watch a match of Israel. Shame on you.” Supporters responded with: “Shame on you.”
Police guided supporters inside and patrolled the area. A smoke bomb was also thrown onto the EK grounds.
The Israeli team began warm-ups for Saturday’s match as scheduled. Demonstrations are also planned for Israel’s other two matches on Sunday and Monday, including sit-ins at stadium entrances.
Mayor Schouten emphasized the city cannot decide which teams participate. “The International Olympic Committee decides which teams are admitted. As a city, we cannot say: you may or may not play,” she said.
