Celtic fans display Palestinian flags at Champions League match despite appeal by club

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

A Celtic fans’ group displayed Palestinian flags at a UEFA Champions League match against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, despite an appeal by the Scottish club.

The Green Brigade previously announced that they would show their support for Palestine by displaying its flag at Wednesday's game.

They have already been banned by the club from attending its away matches after displaying the flags at several games.

In a message to supporters ahead of Wednesday’s match, the players and coaching staff from both sides said they would wear black armbands "as a show of respect and support for all those affected by the conflict.”

The conflict in Gaza began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless air campaign against the Gaza Strip.

More than 7,900 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 6,546 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been running out of food, water, medicines and fuel, and recent aid convoys allowed into Gaza have carried only a fraction of what is needed.