World Courant
STUTTGART, Germany
Soccer followers in Germany got caps embroidered with pictures of watermelons as a logo of solidarity with Palestine earlier than a number of UEFA EURO 2024 group matches this week.
The solidarity caps had been distributed earlier than the Spain vs. Italy match on June 20 in Gelsenkirchen, Türkiye vs. Portugal recreation on June 22 in Dortmund, and Scotland vs. Hungary match on Sunday in Stuttgart as watermelons echo the colours of the Palestinian flag.
“We wish to make our voice heard right here concerning the (Israeli) oppression dedicated towards our Palestinian brothers,” one of many sponsors of the voluntary occasion in Germany, Mehmet Simsek, informed Anadolu earlier this week in Gelsenkirchen.
Simsek mentioned Muslims must be involved about it and “do one thing” in protest.
“It’s inconceivable to show a blind eye to this genocide (towards Palestinians). The individuals who commit this genocide (in Gaza), have confronted a genocide up to now. Now they (Israel) are committing it.”
Nevertheless, he mentioned the German police prevented the volunteers from giving the followers a number of the solidarity caps in Gelsenkirchen.
“Almost 50,000 caps had been produced. We wished handy out these caps right here, however it was not allowed by police,” Simsek added.
Solidarity caps given earlier than Türkiye vs. Portugal match
The identical non-governmental group distributed the solidarity caps to followers on the BVB Stadion Dortmund earlier than the Türkiye vs. Portugal match on Saturday.
Vahdettin Bayram, a Turkish volunteer, informed Anadolu that they gave out the caps to assist voice “the oppression in Gaza to Europeans.”
Bayram mentioned that as a part of Türkiye’s stance on Palestine, Turkish businessmen in Germany made 50,000 watermelon emblem caps to lift consciousness of the Israeli assaults on Gaza.
“We first handed out these hats earlier than the (June 20) Italy vs. Spain match, and at the moment we’re giving them out earlier than the Türkiye vs. Portugal match,” Bayram mentioned.
Each the June 20 recreation and Saturday’s had been performed in Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia state.
Bayram mentioned the volunteers together with him are performing towards the injustice in Gaza, and they’re going to proceed handy out caps till the tip of the European Championship on July 14.
Volkan Baran, a German politician of Turkish descent and North Rhine-Westphalia deputy, wore a watermelon cap earlier than the Türkiye vs. Portugal match.
“The world shouldn’t shut its eyes to what’s taking place in Palestine. Some 45,000 harmless individuals have been killed. There was an assault on Israel (final October), however sadly the response was very disproportionate. In a court docket determination, the UN informed Israel to cease the conflict however sadly it didn’t,” he mentioned.
Baran mentioned that he believes the worldwide group will increase its voice to cease this assault, and Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu will face trial in his personal nation.
“As a result of half of the Israeli individuals are on out the streets protesting the Israeli authorities,” he added.
Palestine solidarity caps successful with followers
Turkish soccer followers had been eager to get the solidarity caps.
“As Turks, we all the time stand by Palestine,” mentioned Ayse Can, a Turkish fan. “We all the time help them,” she mentioned, including that also they are boycotting Israel.
Turkish fan Bunyamin Sonmez mentioned he wore the cap to indicate that he stands with the Palestinian individuals.
“I hope we are going to do no matter is important to avoid wasting them from (Israeli) oppression,” Sonmez mentioned.
Nevzat Karakaya, who got here to Dortmund to observe the match, mentioned that their hearts beat for Palestine and the individuals of Gaza.
Eylul Karakaya additionally mentioned Palestine is of their hearts, including that he hopes “justice will discover its approach” in Palestine.
Scottish, Hungarian followers get their caps in Stuttgart
Volunteers carried out the identical exercise earlier than Sunday’s match between Scotland and Hungary at Stuttgart Enviornment.
The watermelon caps got to each Scottish and Hungarian soccer followers in Stuttgart to lift consciousness.
“I believe what is occurring in Palestine is a whole genocide,” Yasin Yilmaz, a Turkish volunteer, informed Anadolu, including that humanity is disregarded on this challenge.
“A watermelon slice (on the caps) symbolizes Palestine and its colours. It additionally tells us that Palestine is a bit of it.”
Yilmaz mentioned the followers in Stuttgart like sporting this cover as a result of they’re conscious of Israel’s genocide.
Israel’s 8-month conflict on Gaza
Flouting a UN Safety Council decision demanding an instantaneous cease-fire, Israel has confronted worldwide condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7 assault by Palestine resistance group Hamas.
Greater than 37,500 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, most of them ladies and youngsters, and almost 86,000 injured, in accordance with native well being authorities.
Greater than eight months into the Israeli conflict, huge tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of meals, clear water, and drugs.
Israel is accused of genocide on the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice, whose newest ruling ordered Tel Aviv to instantly halt its operation in Rafah, the place greater than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the conflict earlier than it was invaded on Could 6.
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