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During FC Barcelona’s visit: PA TV presents all of Israel as "Palestine"

Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik  |
During FC Barcelona’s visit:

PA TV presents all of Israel as “Palestine”

Rajoub: “If a photo is published of Messi
next to the [separation] fence, the new Berlin Wall,
and the new Nazis (Israelis) will be seen…
this by itself will be the highest achievement”
“Fascists can learn a lesson from this state”


by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberik

Events celebrating FC Barcelona’s visit to Hebron’s Dura stadium included popular Palestinian singer Muhammad Assaf peforming a song in which Safed, Acre, Haifa and more, are presented as Palestinian cities. In addition, a PA TV commentator presented all of Israel “from Eilat to Rosh HaNikra” as Palestine.

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Last month, Fatah Central Committee member and Chairman of the Palestinian Olympic Committee Jibril Rajoub was interviewed by PA TV regarding FC Barcelona’s visit. He explained why he would not permit a joint game between Palestinian and Israeli players to take place during the team’s visit. He said that Israel:

“Is a state of bullies. Fascists can learn a lesson from this state. This government – there is none more brazen in human history “
 
Rajoub viewed the Barcelona team’s visit as being beneficial
in terms of international public relations for “Palestine”:
“If a photo is published of [football star] Messi next to the [separation] fence, the new Berlin Wall, and the new Nazis (Israelis) will be seen the way they treat Palestinians, the Palestinian players – well, this by itself will be the highest achievement.”
 
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Rajoub also voiced his opposition to “normalization” with Israel and said: “I won't allow and won't agree to any joint game between Arabs and Israel. “
 
The following is an excerpt of the report on official PA TV:

PA TV sports commentator:
“Today Barcelona came to us. Barcelona honored us without receiving anything in return, and it came to honor us at the Dura stadium [in Hebron] and in Palestine in its entirety… Barcelona wrote on its internet site: ‘We will visit Palestine.’ Palestine and no other. Only in Palestine. Palestine and its undoubted capital Jerusalem. From Eilat to Rosh HaNikra (i.e., all of Israel, south to north), to the Negev, and to all the Palestinian cities in the north, south, west and east.”
 
Palestinian singer Muhammad Assaf at the event with FC Barcelona:
"Come on, everyone sing together: Oh flying bird, circling around,
My country Palestine is beautiful.
Turn to Safed, and then to Tiberias,
and send regards to the sea of Acre and Haifa.
Don't forget Nazareth - the Arab fortress,
and tell Beit Shean about its people's return.
My country Palestine is beautiful."
[Official PA TV, Aug. 2, 2013]

Excerpt of the interview with Jibril Rajoub on PA TV regarding FC Barcelona’s visit:

“This state [Israel] is a state of bullies. Fascists can learn a lesson from this state.
This government – there is none more brazen than it in human history... Anyone who joins any joint [sports] activity with the Israelis – I’ll take him off the [Palestinian Football] Association’s lists, whether he is a player, coach, judge or, God forbid, a team...
Did we act correctly and convince [FIFA’s] General Assembly? Yes. Yes, we’ll suspend their [Israel's] membership [in FIFA] and this way we’ll screw them... I won't allow and won't agree to any joint game between Arabs and Israel... If a photo is published of [football star] Messi next to the [separation] fence, the new Berlin Wall, and the new Nazis (Israelis) will be seen the way they treat Palestinians, the Palestinian players –well, this by itself will be the highest achievement.”
[Official PA TV, July 1, 2013]

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