Pro-Palestinian protesters slam Israeli tennis player over military ties

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Pro-Palestinian protesters in New Zealand, chanted slogans on Monday against Israeli tennis player Lina Glushko over her ties with the Israeli military, which continues its brutal campaign in Gaza.

During the game against Naomi Osaka in ASB Classic, the demonstrators chanted such as "Free Palestine," "Israel is a terror state," and "Israel out," which were clearly heard on court and during broadcasts.

The disruptions caused brief pauses during the first set.

The protest, organized by the Palestine Support Network Aotearoa, drew attention to Glushko’s military background. "Politics and sport are always strongly linked, and Glushko's presence is part of Israel's strategy to normalise its racism and apartheid against Palestinians," the group said in a statement.

Glushko, 24, has served in the Israeli military as a "mitztayenet," a designation for athletes who continue their sporting careers while serving.

Osaka defeated Glushko 6-4, 6-4, advancing to the tournament’s second round. It was her first competitive match since a back injury sidelined her in October.

Israel has killed over 45,500 people, mostly women and children, in Gaza since a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

While most of the structures in the enclave have been destroyed, making it uninhabitable, Israel has also imposed a stifling blockade, leaving the territory’s 2.3 million population on the verge of famine.

Last month, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.