The British government Saturday was accused of double standards by denying visas to a Palestinian Under-19 squad, while allowing Israel to take part in Euro 2008 qualifying match against England at Wembley Stadium. The recent decision to prevent the Palestinian team from travelling to play friendly match was “bizarre, taken with no formal reason being given,” said a letter to the Times newspaper signed by over 300 prominent Jews in the UK. Signatures included many academics and artists, including leader playwright Sir Tom Stoppard, film director Mike Leigh and author Jonathan Miller as well as Labour MP Harry Cohen. The British government was urged to give the Palestinian the same chance to participate in sporting contests as the Israeli national football team. The call comes as the Boycott Israeli Goods Campaign and Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods (J-BIG) were to hold a vigil outside Wembley Stadium to protest against England playing Israel. The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said that the protest is part of the campaign to suspend Israel from international football until it complies with international law and UN resolutions. To coincide with the match, an online petition has also been launched to bar Israel from participating in European and international competitions.
UK DOUBLE STANDARD ALLOWS ISRAEL TO PLAY IN LONDON
The British government Saturday was accused of double standards by denying visas to a Palestinian Under-19 squad, while allowing Israel to take part in Euro 2008 qualifying match against England at Wembley Stadium.
