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As soccer fans across Europe express their solidarity with Syrian asylum seekers with “Refugees Welcome” banners, supporters of an Israeli team have demonstrated a much harsher sentiment.
Fans of Maccabi Tel-Aviv, who play Chelsea in the Champions League Wednesday, responded to the snowballing refugee crisis with their own banner reading “Refugees Not Welcome” during a match against Kiryat Shmona.
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Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) "Refugees not welcome" pic.twitter.com/uPItb04QNO
— It's an ultra life (@itsultralife01)
September 12, 2015
RELATED: In Pictures – Soccer Solidarity: #RefugeesWelcome in Germany
The statement comes in stark contrast to much of top-level soccer, with fans in Germany, Spain and the U.K. showing support. Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are donating US$1.1 million, and Champions League clubs pledging 1 euro from each ticket sold on the first home game, of which Maccabi is one.
Even Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said that “refugees are under big pressure,” in response to a question about his own stress over the opening match of the Champions League.
In another match, Hapoel Tel Aviv supporters in Israel responded by waving a banner which read “Who isn’t a migrant here?!,” in solidarity with those in crisis.
Earlier this month Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed demands for his country to accept more refugees, instead announcing he will building an 18-mile fence along the border with Jordan.
