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Netball body calls off tournament as a whole rather than banning Israel

By Mark Mansfield
Israel in action against France in the Europe Netball Open Challenge 2023 in Cardiff.Image via YouTube

Martin Shipton

The governing body of Netball in Europe has decided to call off an Open Competition it was organising in Wales rather than exclude Israel because of its slaughter of more than 52,000 people in Gaza.

Pro-Palestine groups had protested against the decision to let Israel participate in the event, which was due to go ahead at the Cardiff City House of Sport between May 7 and May 11.

But Europe Netball issued a statement on April 29 that didn’t mention Israel or the war in Gaza, but said: “At Europe Netball, the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in our events - players, coaches, officials, volunteers and fans - is always our top priority.

“It is with regret that we announce the cancellation of our Open Tournament at Cardiff next week.

“This decision has not been made lightly but reflects our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our netball family and ensuring a positive experience for all.

“All those who have purchased tickets will be contacted individually regarding refunds.

“We remain dedicated to creating opportunities for the growth and the enjoyment of netball across our region and we thank you for your understanding and continued support.”

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Red cards

Former Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Bethan Sayed, now a leading pro-Palestine activist, posted a video in which she said: “Give the red cards to Netball Europe - they’re clearly offside. They are taking no responsibility for their legal obligations in holding Israel to account in relation to global international laws.

“This would have been an opportunity for Europe Netball to make that stand - to join in calling for the boycott of Israel to be excluded from this particular tournament.

“Calling it safeguarding is a cop-out. They needed to take a stand against Israel Netball and make it known that they would not be welcome as part of this tournament.

“Can you imagine for a minute if it had been Russia taking part in this tournament in Cardiff. It would have been the opposite. There would have been outcry from the political class, to not allow Russia to take part.

“But here we have it - they're using this safeguarding reason as an excuse to cancel this. We know that Israel was fundraising for security because we were going to mount peaceful protests.

“Europe Netball: you missed an opportunity to play a part in history and condemn genocide. You’re now penalising all the other teams that wanted to come to Cardiff to take part in this tournament.

“We said Israel Netball were not welcome due to the fact that they train on Settlement land, due to the fact that their nation is carrying out genocide at the moment against the Palestinian people.”

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13 comments

Jeff

No brainer to ban them but people are now very afraid of the orange oaf that backs the war crimes.

Reply
Hywel

Hamas is the Palestinian equivalent of the IRA - freedom fighters struggling to remove colonial racist oppressors. There would be no need for Hamas if there had been a 2 State Solution. Free Wales Army would have been proscribed and labelled a terrorist organisation if it had had the same support. Israel’s long term plan is to clear out the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and incorporate them into the State of Israel. Ban apartheid - no trade, no sport and definitely no arms.

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Matty

Yeah right..sigh.

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Karl

So all get punished for Israels crimes. How pathetic. Perhaps just get shot of the non European teams from this organisation. After all the pianists in Israel left Europe to Asia, to pursue land thefts there.

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Rob

I agree. I'm wonder if this could harm Wales' reputation in hosting international sporting events.

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Y Cymro

There's one rule for Israel and another for everyone else? The hypocrisy and double standards nauseating. Russian Athletes were excluded from representing their country in tournaments for its invasion of Ukraine but Israel for some reason is allowed to enter competitions even though committing horrific warcrimes against the Palestinian people? I admire any sportsman or woman who makes a stance against the State of Israel. We must stop the killing. When South Africa was excluded for playing international sport, be it rugby or cricket, it was done to end disgusting apartheid where black people were treated worse then animals. Why does the world watch on as tens of thousands of innocent Palestinian civilians are slaughtered by racist Israel who are weaponized & bankrolled by superpower America backed by little Britain. It's horrific to see those images of dead & dying children? Currently there's a sickness in the world where if you make a stance against Israeli genocide are attacked by the thought police. How is it that you can be called antisemitic for wanting a ceasefire and to stop the killing on both sides? Never be afraid to stand up and fight. Always remember. You are on the right side of history.

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Brad

"I admire any sportsman or woman who makes a stance against the State of Israel" The reason it carries on is that people conflate the government of Israel with the state of Israel. When people were opposed to apartheid in South Africa they weren't opposed to the very existence of South Africa, only the actions of its government.

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Hogyn y Gogledd

What's Israel got to do with Europe anyway? Somebody's geography is faulty.

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Marie Jenkins

A good outcome Bethan. Brings the issue to the forefront. How can we justify playing sport with teams whose government is bombing and starving children every day.

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Matthew

The hatred in this article and comments is unsettling. On October 7th the Palestinians went into Israeli bedrooms and murdered kids in their beds while raping their mothers. 1200 human beings were slaughtered within hours. Hamas has yet to surrender or released the hostages. Stop your hatred.

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FrankC

How do you feel about the 40,000 civilian casualties so far? Check your own hatred maybe.

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Baxter

Until both sides accept that both sides are partly responsible nothing will change for another 70 years.

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Harvey Garfield

I imagine a class action against the organisers , venue , and European Netball for losses incurred including but not limited to lost travel expenses is being considered as I write.

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Replying to Marie Jenkins Cancel

A good outcome Bethan. Brings the issue to the forefront. How can we justify playing sport with teams whose government is bombing and starving children every day.

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