Tel Aviv Tribune Net correspondents
Doha- The 2023 Asian Football Cup, hosted by Qatar, is witnessing a remarkable presence from Palestine, especially with the ongoing aggression in the Gaza Strip for more than 100 days, which has left tens of thousands of martyrs, injured and missing, and a humanitarian tragedy.
The Palestinian flag was prominent in the tournament stadiums and its accompanying activities, along with expressions of support and solidarity with the Gaza Strip, while the “Darb Lusail” tourist area witnessed a solidarity stand by fans of the “Fedayeen” (the Palestinian team) and a number of participating teams at the invitation of the “Palestinian Dream” campaign. .
In the protest, which coincided with an international movement in about 60 cities around the world, the participants chanted for Palestine, demanded an immediate ceasefire, waved Palestinian flags, and gathered at the “Palestine on the Lusail Tourist Trail” corner, close to the iconic Lusail Stadium, which hosted the last World Cup final. It also hosts the final of the current tournament.
A Palestinian dream
Under the slogan “A Palestinian Dream,” a media and field campaign was launched for the first time at the beginning of the World Cup in Qatar, which sought to exploit international sports forums to introduce the Palestinian cause to fans who came from all countries of the world.
“Palestinian Dream” returned to launch a group of actions, events and invitations during the current tournament, which continues until the tenth of next February, as it invited the tournament fans to raise banners in the stands bearing the phrases “Stop the aggression” and “Freedom for Palestine.”
In addition to the stand that was carried out on the “Lusail Trail”, activists in the campaign raised a giant flag for Palestine in the match that brought together the “Fedayi” with its Iranian counterpart at the World Cup Education City Stadium, with the phrase “Freedom for Palestine” written on it in English.
According to the campaign’s media officer, Ahmed Al-Qarawi, its activities during this tournament come in an exceptional circumstance that calls for every move that could expose the war of genocide practiced by the occupation, and contribute to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Speaking to Tel Aviv Tribune Net, Al-Qarawi said, “Our work is an extension of Qatar’s forms of support that we saw during the opening of the tournament and through the giant screens that were covered with the Palestinian flag and a reminder of the tragedy of Gaza,” adding, “We see the positive interaction of the peoples of the world and their solidarity with Palestine, and we are required to continue to Remind him of what is happening, and push everyone to work to stop the massacres.”
To support Gaza
In turn, Fadi Muslim, one of those in charge of the campaign, said that their activity during the tournament comes under the central question: “How do we support Gaza in the Asian Cup?” Pointing out that the campaign’s actions and calls vary between activities on the field such as raising the Palestinian flag, wearing the keffiyeh, and badges and scarves supporting Palestine, as well as cheering for Gaza during the match and raising banners demanding an end to the war and freedom for Palestine.
Muslim added, “The other important form of action required in the street and the halls of heroism is to continue the boycott of goods that support the Israeli occupation, in addition to interacting with audiences from different countries and clarifying the origin of the Palestinian story and the nature of what is happening in Gaza.”
Muslim concluded by talking about the importance of investing in the digital aspect to cover solidarity activities, and said, “The campaign attracts dozens of influencers and public figures to support its ideas, activities, and messages.”
The campaign intensifies its publication of media materials that include messages from citizens of an Arab and Asian country addressed to Gaza, through which it aims – according to those in charge of it – “to show the magnitude of the popular incubator for Gaza and the Palestinian resistance, and how the “Al-Aqsa Flood” thwarted all normalization scenarios and ambitions.”
The Asian Cup will witness the holding of 51 matches in 9 stadiums, including 7 World Cup matches that hosted the last World Cup matches, in which Argentina was crowned champion. 24 teams, including 10 Arab teams, will participate in the tournament.
