Israeli football fans attacked Palestinian fans and the match was abandoned

An Israeli Premier League match between Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Bnei Sakhnin was marred by violence on September 1, 2024. The match was abandoned after Israeli football fans attacked Palestinian fans. This incident has drawn significant attention and raised concerns about safety in sports events.

Incident Overview

The match began with a tense atmosphere. Fans of Bnei Sakhnin, a team with a large Arab following, turned their backs during the Israeli national anthem playing. Many Hapoel Be’er Sheva supporters saw this act as disrespectful. In response, a group of Hapoel fans stormed the pitch, leading to chaos. They confronted the Bnei Sakhnin supporters, resulting in a violent clash. Witnesses reported that some fans were armed with sticks, escalating the situation further.

Arrests and Reactions

The violence led to the arrest of twelve fans—five from Hapoel Be’er Sheva and seven from Bnei Sakhnin. Local media reported that the police were present but struggled to maintain order. Bnei Sakhnin’s chairman, Muhammad Abu Younes, decided to withdraw his team from the match. He stated, “I never thought this could happen.” Despite initial agreements to restart the game, the Sakhnin players felt unsafe and refused to return to the field.

Official Responses

Israeli Interior Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called for the Bnei Sakhnin club to be expelled from the league. He expressed outrage over the incident and demanded accountability. A statement from the Israeli league indicated that the police had deemed it safe to continue the match. However, the refusal of Sakhnin players to return to the field complicated matters. The situation will now be reviewed by a disciplinary committee.

Perspectives on the Incident

Alona Barkat, the owner of Hapoel Be’er Sheva, condemned her fans’ actions. However, she also criticized the Bnei Sakhnin fans for their perceived provocation. She referred to the incident as part of a broader issue of disrespect towards the national anthem, especially following recent violent events in the region. Mazan Ganaim, the mayor of Sakhnin, echoed these sentiments. He acknowledged that the gesture of turning their backs crossed a line but suggested that Hapoel fans premeditated the violence. He questioned how so many masked individuals could enter the pitch armed.