Spanish soccer fans chant anti-Semitic slogans at Israeli goalkeeper

Why do you say that? any fact suppoting that strong statement?

ETA is a marxist-lenninist terrorist group, do not see the point of a racial aspect on their killings. Some anti semitism is still in the spanish culture, but probably this is less correct for the basque country (the most famous basque Ignacio de Loyola, could not return to Spain in the XVI century because of his defense of the jews against the inquisition, neither his succesor converted from the judaism). The attitud in the basque country is against the actios of Israel as independent state, we the basques are not, have not been and will never been anti semitic,...we also suffer in Spain the hate from the extreme fascist right

Israel has never relinquished control of Gaza's borders, resources, airspace, and coast. The withdrawal didn't end the occupation. This is common knowledge in Israel.

Well, next time a Spanish team comes to play in Israel we should ask them to leave the Al Andaluz and give it back to their owners, the arabs. Bin Laden has already mentioned it. After nearly 800 years of occupation the arabs were kicked back to North Africa. Spain still has enclaves in arab Morocco.

Once again, my analyses were not to be construed as one-sided, but at the same time I was speaking of the anger of Palestinians and filo-Arabs. Both sides are at guilt. I can play this game too. Are you saying that since Jews were oppressed by Arabs in the past that it is ok now for Jews to oppress Arabs? Is that what Judaism has taught you? One wonders if I made a blatant anti-Arab comment would you defend the Arabs with the same gull you are with the Jews? If not, then what leg do you have to stand on to complain that I am being one-sided?

"waving the flag does not mean that the support of Pals is born of a genuine and informed assessment of the merits of the disputes between Israel and the Pals & their Arab accessories. Indeed, in many cases the support is their precisely because their enemy is Jewish." - #35 Brad. What's your basis for that arguement? I'm not saying they weren't anti-Semitic, or that anti-Semites don't wave Palestinian flags. I know some white supremacists who do. But people like that are in the minority. Most people who wave Palestinian flags do so to voice their opposition to Israel's policies rearding the Palestinians. I have a Palestinian flag on my wall, and not only do I have Jewish roots, (if you consider Judaism to be passed down matrilineally, I am Jewish, although the family have long since converted) and one of my housemates and best friends is an observant Jew. Excuse me for saying this, but I do find your way of thinking to be extremely narrow unduly suspicious.

if you don't leave in Spain you can not judge us.... before speak you will have to get more information.....

These idiots from Osasuna don't really know what they are (anti israel or antisemitic) simply because they are ignorant football hooligans who cannot even place Israel in the map. Don't take them too seriously please. What is really sad is that these racist manifestations take place almost every weekend in spanish stadiums(against blacks mainly) and that the Spanish authorities don't do anything serious to stop them. The fine to Osasuna was a ridiculous 18.000 euros.

Yes. Missing the point completely. From the article I understand that these idiots are anti-Israel and not anti-semitic. Which is certainly not the same for those of us that are not racist. However, I agree that it is very sad that in sports in Spain many players are subject to racial abuse too often. Authorities should take this more seriously.

Yes, and that is the usual excuse for Spanish antisemitic manifestations "they are anti-Israel, not anti-Jews". Spain has been fed for decades now with antisemitism via the Spanish media, mainly the El Pais daily newspaper and the Spanish "left" in general, partly out of appalling ignorance about the subject.

you say, "does not an anti-semite make". And I say, waving the flag does not mean that the support of Pals is born of a genuine and informed assessment of the merits of the disputes between Israel and the Pals & their Arab accessories. Indeed, in many cases the support is their precisely because their enemy is Jewish.

centuries before their was an Israel when Pals were denying Jews fundamental rights, engaging in riots which killed Jews and excluded them from Jerusalem, amongst other places in the West Bank historical home of the Jews? Look at the archealogical evidence for the latter and for the former, there is unqequivical and undisputed history. Gee I wonder why the Jewish quarter of Jerusalem became bereft of Jews?????

The Spanish being against Israel in this dispute is like the Spanish being against Jews during the time of the inquisition. Same values, same ignorant people.

Israel is not in Gaza, so there is nothing to end. The Arabs are famous for perseverating and your a premier example of just that.

Natalie D. is completely out of touch with reality. What data is there about her claim? None, zero. Reality and history shows that regardless of what Israel does in Gaza or what Jews do anywhere, there will always be racist antisemites...she appears to be one herself. The least she could do is be honest...get real, Nat.

Missing the point as usual in Spain. The chant was "Judio Cabrón", (Bastard you jew). It's against jews, not against Israel. I'm bored of hearing "I'm antizionist but not antisemitic:

You misunderstand the nature of antisemitism: holding one Jew accountable for the acts of the State of Israel (i.e. he Jewish collective) is classically antisemitic behavior. Anne Frank has an eloquent passage about this phenomenon in her diaries.

So, Paul from Toronto is the new authority on which remarks are anti occupation or anti-Semitic. To make his life simpler he should simply state that any criticism of Israel, is anti-Semitic. People like him really seem to believe that this way people can be discouraged from critical thinking. News for the Pauls ? We are going to school as well ?

Except that "As of 2008, Arab citizens of Israel comprise just over 20% of the country's total population. The majority of these identify themselves as Palestinian by nationality and Israeli by citizenship.[Wikipedia]" How many palestinians in the Israeli soccer team? Having said that, I do agree with you. Wave all the flags you want but shut the f... up and enjoy the game.

Israel does not ocupy Gaza any more, why does supose to be intelligent people contributing to Haaretz alwas must to be consistent with the mediocracy and blatant antisemitism. Haaretz is a forum of expressing ideas and thoughts,not just to use a space to demostrate their ignorance

#17: Yes, the blockade IS an act of self-defense against an independent state; one that does not accept the legitimacy of Israel and goes the extra mile to SHOOT ROCKETS INDISCRIMINATELY and conduct terrorism while threatening war. #21: Waving Palestinian flags is the beast created by the MURDEROUS policies of the Palistinians, most notably Hamas. #8: A a Jew and Israeli, I agree with you. Shame on them for wanting to ban Arab players because they are Arab. That's exactly what Jews complain about when it relates to Jews. Note: Much credit goes to the Israeli goalie for keeping his head and answering the chants by concentrating on winning the game. Kol ha'kavod!

You are giving it to much importance, and if you do, you will get teased twice as hard, Im a mexican, and i know we latinos tease hard, we tease eachother all the time, and if you cry, you get it even more, ignore the teasing and it will go away, is only a sport.

Don't really think a judgement can be made either way if we don't know what was said. Waving a Palestinian flag does not an anti-Semite make. It was the same as supporters of the opposite team wearing green during Iran's international matches after the 2009 elections.

Your statement "it is the beast created by decades of bad Israeli policies" is absurd if not naive. Where is the blame attributed to the palestinians and their arab/muslim cohorts in all of this.? Where is the blame for the war in 1948 waged soly for the purpose of destroying the tiny Israel and killing all of the population and gaining the land for themselves? Where is the blame for all of the years of terrorist attacks and pathetic leadership that was never willing to walk the walk and talk the talk for peace? Sorry but your analysis is cold and dead in the water. These spainish fans knew exactly what they were doing..they were spewing hatred towards Jews and Israel. You can try to explain it away but you never will be able to because the "oldest hatred"is alive and well...these fools have not evolved since the Spanish Inquisition and probably never will.

Talk about bad communication. First the article doesn't explain exactly what the "anti-Semitic" chants were. All the article states was that they called him a "murderer" which isn't anti-Semitic. However, Natallie Durson's seemingly hatred (though many of her points I agree with, minus the hypocrisy and venom) thinks that calling an athlete a "murderer" is a "legitimate demonstration". seems like she loses any validity to her arguements. Though with that said, waving Palestinian flags is not anti-Semitic, it is the beast created by decades of bad Israeli policies.

I traveled around Spain in a kippa and tsitsit and got very comments and second glances.

...the Spanish soccer fans' chanting anti-Semitic slogans at an Israeli goalkeeper is, according to Natallie, "Legitimate Demonstrations". She obviously enjoys freedom of speech in Israel. I wonder if I may enjoy the same in my country...

I agree with some of you: these people are basically football hoolignas who cannot represent a whole country. In any case, some additional informations: Osasuna fans come from Navarra, a province with basque influence which in the case of these fans turns into a fierce basque radicalism: i.e. ETA supporters (with a racist comoponent as well). So I am afraid this has nothing to do with old antisemitism which fortunately disappeared in the 18th century as the Inquisition's activities faded away. Other info: we are more cousins of the jews than of the arabs (20% of the Spanish population have jewish ancestors, only 10% have arab ones). Shalom!

An act of self-defense against an independent state? Gaza is still a part of Israel and Israel isnt giving Gazans equal rights. It will be a part of Israel forever.

Football IS soccer. Soccer is the English nickname for football, comes from the official name of the sport Association Football, as FIFA name it.

#2 Natallie For your information, Israel left "occupied" Gaza in the Summer of 2005. Gaza is controlled solely by the elected Hamas government.

First end the occupation of Iraq and then worry about other world problems.

For once I disagree with you Nat. The football fans aren't using the occasion to voice their political protest, rather they zone in on the goalkeepers nationality either as banter or to distract him. If Israel ended the Pal occupation you would still hear chants of 'where's your foreskin gone?' or whatever they sing. I suspect that it doesn't reflect entrenched Jew-hatred on behalf of the Osasuna fans as some commentators would like you to believe reflects European sentiment, but instead a cheap shot and pathetic humour. They still make monkey noises at some black players in Spain, not because they really think africans are primitive because it is a 'base' thing to do. Pretty childish, but that's football culture for you.

Missing the point, as usual: the cries were against Israel, not the jews.

Unfortunately not only gentlemen go to watch the games. Some fans are really unpolite.

Football fans are not known for their enlightened thought and their opinions are not representative of society.

according to the right wing open minded posters...

for saying even worse things about Arabs, and having as their official policy to ban Arab players? I support kicking all of these Fascist fans, whether Spanish or Israeli, out of football.

would not be a thing of the past, anti semitism is older than gaza, football or durson

You chose to ignore the fact that these were anti semitic chants....not anti occupation.You are naive and possible an anti Semite yourself if you can see the wrong in this.

I advocate that the team in question ought to be penalized. If continues FIFA must take action.

Spain is full of Morros. They are growing. Soon enough they will demand the return of Melilla and Ceuta. Then the return of Andalucia. Meanwhile the Spanish Anti Terrorist Police are breaking up Jihadi cells every week. The last plan, was to blow up the metro in Barcelona. Both Israel and Spain work closely in security affairs. Hasta pronto.

Normal, just rooting for THEIR cousins. If they act like THEM, look like THEM, curse like THEM, they are 'THEM'. The Pass of Ronceveaux battle was a national disaster. Like one of their most infamous cousin hadj amin el husseini,Jews have always been a convenient scapegoat. In the land of 'flamenco' hatred is expressed with a jewish curse. I lived there, I know.

My guess is that if Israel would end its occupation of Gaza, these legitimate demonstrations would be a thing of the past.

The children of the INquisitors are among the most antisemitic in Europe.