A masked Israel-hater has disrupted a tense five-set battle between between Olympic champion Alexander Zverev and Brit Cameron Norrie, tossing leaflets emblazoned with “free Palestine” on to an Australian Open court.
#Israel-haters are truly the dregs of humanity, and just as they are miserable, they want everyone else to be.
— (((David Lange))) (@Israellycool) January 23, 2024
Thankfully, their despicable behavior is making more people realize the moral bankruptcy of their cause.
More at the link: https://t.co/fpUTdteOPx pic.twitter.com/wfa4Tpatgh
Play was interrupted for a few minutes during the match between Alexander Zverev and Cameron Norrie at the Australian Open.
— Tan 🇫🇷 🇬🇧 (@yesiamtan) January 22, 2024
A woman threw "FREE PALESTINE" flyers before being removed from the stadium.#AusOpen | #EurosportTENNIS pic.twitter.com/udYj7O34hm
Melbourne, Australia – pro-Palestinian protestor attempts to disrupt the @AustralianOpen tennis before spectators step in & forcefully remove the selfish individual & hand them over to authorities #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/xlOL5ho1Fr
— Menachem Vorchheimer (@MenachemV) January 22, 2024
The fourth-round encounter on Margaret Court Arena was briefly halted during the sixth game of the third set on Monday afternoon after a woman wearing a face-mask threw a raft on leaflets from the stands.
The leaflets were printed with the words “while watching tennis, bombs are dropping on Gaza” and “Australia is complicit in war crimes and genocide”.
Ball kids gathered up the papers and the protester was removed before the match continued, with German No.6 seed Zverev going on to triumph 7-5 3-6 6-3 6-4 7-6 (10-3).
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In a statement late on Monday evening, a Tennis Australia spokeswoman praised two patrons who stepped in to stop the protester.
“As soon as the behaviour was identified and reported, venue security was deployed to detain the individual,” she said.
“The individual was subsequently evicted from the event.
“(Melbourne and Olympic Parks and Tennis Australia) do not tolerate any behaviour which seeks to disrupt the event and impacts other fans’ enjoyment of the Australian Open.”
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Victoria Police said officers were told a small group of patrons had also thrown pamphlets on to nearby Kia Arena and scattered others at the entrance of Garden Square.
“Police detained a 35-year-old woman and a 36-year-old woman to obtain their details,” a police spokeswoman said.
“The duo were given a direction to leave the event.
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A group claiming responsibility for the demonstration suggested thousands of leaflets had been dropped across Melbourne Park.
Video also showed a grey ute fitted out with loud-speakers playing audio of air raids outside the event as police watched on.
The group accused the Open of being “complicit in the genocidal attempt of Israel to erase Palestine and its people” over its prohibition on all symbols associated with Palestine.
“We call on the Australian government to remove its embassy from Israel, cut all diplomatic and military ties, and join nations around the world demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” it said in a statement.
“Any country actively supporting genocide should not be the host of prestigious world sporting events.”
These people are truly the dregs of humanity, and just as they are miserable, they want everyone else to be.
Thankfully, their despicable behavior is making more people realize the moral bankruptcy of their cause.
