ROME: The city of Udine has put extraordinary security measures in place ahead of Italy’s upcoming World Cup soccer qualifier with Israel, as a pro-Palestinian march will go ahead on the day of the game, even after Israel and Hamas agreed on a peace deal.
The agreement, ratified by Israel’s government on Friday, includes a ceasefire and plan to free Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
March organizer Committee for Palestine-Udine opposes what it calls the “violence of the Israeli occupation in Palestinian territories,” and expects over 10,000 people to attend on Tuesday, hours before the game kicks off at the Stadio Friuli.
“Our demands remain unchanged,” a group spokesperson told Reuters, calling the match a “game of shame.”
“We stand alongside the Palestinian people, for their right to self-determination, their right of return, and their right to live a life free from occupation, in Gaza and throughout Palestine.”
“Our pressure will cease only when the Palestinian people are fully free.” More than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s assault on Gaza, launched after Hamas-led militants stormed through Israeli towns and a music festival on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and capturing 251 hostages. Israeli troops began pulling back on Friday under the agreement, which is the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s plan to end the war between Israel and the Hamas militant group.
The Municipality of Udine issued a number of restrictions on Friday, with road closures and parking limitations coming into effect from Saturday, and is installing concrete barriers in the stadium area to establish security zones.
There is a ban on serving food and drink in glass, ceramic, or tin containers on the day of the match, and all outdoor furnishings must be removed from outside public establishments.
The National Observatory on Sporting Events has assigned the highest risk level to the game, and the Prefecture of Udine, a government authority, said the march could present an opportunity for infiltration by violent groups.
March organizers say they have no intention of preventing the game from going ahead, with the protest taking place well away from the stadium, but other demonstrations could take place.
Israel plays Norway in Oslo on Saturday, with Italy away to Estonia. Norway tops Group I on 15 points from five games, Italy is second on nine points after four matches, level with Israel, who has played a game more.
Match between Italy, Israel triggers high alert with pro-Palestinian march going ahead
https://arab.news/5f6s9
Match between Italy, Israel triggers high alert with pro-Palestinian march going ahead
- March organizer Committee for Palestine-Udine opposes what it calls the “violence of the Israeli occupation in Palestinian territories,” and expects over 10,000 people to attend
- “We stand alongside the Palestinian people, for their right to self-determination, their right of return, and their right to live a life free from occupation“
Commando Group leads standings on second day of Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship
- Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club secured second place, with Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club taking third at Mubadala Arena
ABU DHABI: Commando Group on Monday finished top of the standings at the Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championship, capping off a day of competition in the blue and purple belt divisions at Mubadala Arena.
The second day of the event also saw Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club secure second place, with Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club taking third. The youth tournament is part of the 17th Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
The championship is held under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
Mansoor Al-Dhaheri, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The seventeenth edition of the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship continues to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s status as the world capital of jiu-jitsu. The event plays an important role in developing the sport and bringing communities together, and the participation of more than 10,000 athletes from 130 countries shows the growing confidence of the international sporting community in Abu Dhabi’s capabilities to organize major events. The championship’s constant high technical quality levels and the rise of new talents give the sport strong momentum locally and internationally.
“The championship reflects the UAE leadership’s vision to support younger generations through sports, especially jiu-jitsu, which instils values such as discipline, focus, confidence and patience in athletes. These values help mold a generation that is ready to compete at the highest levels and prepared for the future.”
One of the VIP guests, Carlos Vizioli, deputy chief of mission at the Brazilian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, said: “I am honored to attend this championship. It reflects the strong and growing relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Brazil. The UAE has become the main destination for thousands of Brazilian athletes who find a supportive environment here and feel at home.
“Abu Dhabi has shown that it can organize and host major global sports events at the highest level. This is why all participants appreciate and admire it. The hospitality and professional organization are key to the championship’s success every year.
“The performances we saw today from the blue and purple belt athletes were very strong and impressive. They are making clear progress, and their level shows the quality of training in clubs and academies from around the world.”
Competitions for the Masters category will start on Tuesday.
