Israeli police arrested 12 people on Sunday night at a professional soccer match in Beersheva, when violent clashes broke out after some fans of an Arab-Israeli club turned their backs during the playing of the national anthem.
Supporters of the home club Hapoel Beersheva became enraged when Bnei Sakhnin fans turned their backs as “Hatikvah” (“The Hope”) played before the kickoff at Turner Stadium. A brawl ensued when they stormed the pitch and beat the Bnei Sakhnin supporters with long sticks.
A dozen rioters were arrested as players and referees took shelter away from the pitch, where hundreds of people sprinted onto the turf to get involved in the brawl.
The incident was captured on video by fans in the stands and shared on social media.
‘Dishonoring the national anthem’
Officials attempted to restart the match, but Bnei Sakhnin refused to play, and the game was canceled.
Both teams are expected to face punishments for the incident with Bnei Sakhnin being hit with a technical loss.
“After Hapoel Beersheva fans stormed the pitch and the Sakhnin players went to the locker rooms, the police commander at the stadium informed the Sakhnin players that there were no obstacles to holding the match, and police forces were deployed to ensure the game’s proper conduct,” the Israeli Premier League said in a statement.
“Despite this, some Sakhnin players refused to return to the field. The match will not take place today, and the matter will be referred to the disciplinary committee for resolution.”
The Israel Police said: “This evening, during the national anthem, before the kickoff of the football match between Hapoel Beersheva and Bnei Sakhnin, dozens of fans from both teams stormed the pitch and started a violent brawl.”
“The police forces present at the stadium acted quickly, restored order and arrested 12 fans from both teams. Following the incident, Bnei Sakhnin’s players refused to resume the match, and the referee decided to cancel it.”
Hapoel Beersheva owner Alona Barkat said that while the reaction from Hapoel Beersheva fans was not justified, what the Bnei Sakhnin supporters did was “outrageous,” coming after the news that the bodies of six hostages in Gaza were found after they were murdered by the Hamas terror group.
“I think what we saw today is part of the phenomenon of dishonoring the national anthem,” she said. “Even on such an emotional day, we can’t respect the anthem?”
Sakhnin is an Arab city in northern Israel in the Lower Galilee region.
