LONDON – Real Madrid were criticised by Israeli officials on Saturday afterAhed Tamimi, a teenager associated with Palestinian resistance to theIsraeli occupation, was pictured being presented with a club shirt.
The 17-year-old is visiting Spain this week with her family to participatein various social and political events.——————————
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According to top Spanish sports daily Marca, she was offered a Real jerseyand posed for photos with Emilio Butragueno, the club s former striker andnow director of institutional relations.
However, Real Madrid has not issued any official statement regarding herinvitation on its social networks or website. When contacted by AFP, theclub declined to comment.
Daniel Kutner, Israel s ambassador to Spain, wrote on Twitter: “Ahed Tamimidoes not fight for peace, she defends violence and terror, the institutionsthat have received and celebrated her indirectly encourage aggression andnot the dialogue and understanding that we need.”
Emmanuel Nahshon, spokesman for the Israeli foreign minister, described theapparent welcome Real Madrid gave Tamimi as “shameful”, describing her as”a terrorist inciting to hatred and violence”.
Tamimi has become a figure of Palestinian resistance since spending eightmonths in prison for slapping two soldiers from the Israel Defence Forces.She was released in late July. – APP/AFP