Ex-Celtic and Israel international Nir Bitton has launched an impassioned attack on his former club's fans after they showed support to Palestine with banners and flags at Parkhead.
The midfielder was a regular fixture in the team for nearly ten years in Scotland and left a popular figure in 2022 as her returned to his homeland with Maccabi Tel Aviv. But he posted his anger on Instagram after the Green Brigade held banners saying ‘Free Palestine' and 'Victory To The Resistance!!’ as well as numerous Palestinian flags before the 3-1 win over Kilmarnock.
The fall out comes after a day of horrific bloodshed in the Middle East. Hamas, designated as a terrorist group by many Western countries including the UK, launched a variety of attacks on Israel from occupied Gaza, leaving scores dead. The Israeli government has reacted in kind and at least 198 Palestinians have been killed in retaliatory air attacks.
Green Brigade Celtic with a message for Palestine today pic.twitter.com/PSvyaDhTUZ
— 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 (@thecasualultra) October 7, 2023
Bitton posted: "Shame on you!!! Yes free Gaza from Hamas not from Israel!! Support terror organisation who's proudly celebrating the slaughtering of families is absolutely crazy!! Embarrassing. Most of you don't even know where Israel is. You have zero clue about this conflict and still act like you know everything.
"As a father of 3 kids I want to see how you react when your innocent kids getting slaughtered and kidnapped infront of your eyes. And please don't tell me this is what Israel do to Palestinians because this is far from being true. Stop being brainwashed and biased and educate yourself with facts!!!"
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