Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched in Udine, Italy, before a World Cup qualifier between Italy and Israel. Organizers, the Committee for Palestine-Udine, called for FIFA to ban Israel from competitions, citing its "occupation policies" in Palestinian territories. Protesters carried a large Palestinian flag and a banner reading "Show Israel the red card," advocating for justice and peace.
The march, which drew over 5,000 participants, concluded with clashes between some protesters and anti-riot police. These demonstrators threw firecrackers and crowd-control barriers, prompting police to deploy water cannons and tear gas. A journalist was reportedly injured by a stone and taken to the hospital, with another journalist and some police officers also sustaining injuries.
The mayor of Udine condemned the violence, stating it was unacceptable. The protest proceeded despite a recent ceasefire and hostage/prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Security for the soccer match was significantly heightened due to concerns about potential violence, following incidents in recent weeks. Authorities implemented various restrictions, including ... download the app to read more
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