Real Madrid support for Ahed irks Israel
Palestinian teen has become symbol of resistance to occupation regime
Madrid - Israeli regime officials criticised Real Madrid on Saturday after Ahed Tamimi, a teenager associated with Palestinian resistance to the Israeli occupation, was pictured being presented with a club shirt.
The 17-year-old is visiting Spain this week with her family to participate in various social and political events.
According to top Spanish sports daily Marca, she was offered a Real jersey and posed for photos with Emilio Butragueno, the club’s former striker and now director of institutional relations.
However, Real Madrid has not issued any official statement regarding her invitation on its social networks or website. When contacted by AFP, the club declined to comment.
Emmanuel Nahshon, spokesman for the Israeli foreign minister, described the apparent welcome Real Madrid gave Tamimi as “shameful”, describing her as “a terrorist inciting to hatred and violence”.
Tamimi has become a figure of Palestinian resistance since spending eight months in prison for slapping two soldiers from the Israel Defence Forces. She was released in late July.