Israeli flag displayed at AFL game raises questions
Following articles in the media this morning stating the Australian Football League has reportedly determined that an Israeli flag should not have been permitted at Saturday’s North Melbourne-West Coast game, Zionism Victoria has written to the CEO of the AFL to express its concern and to seek clarification.
According to an article on SEN, a senior AFL security official allegedly wrote an email about the flag stating, “Once identified, it should have been requested to be seized/confiscated or the patron in possession requested to leave if they refused to surrender the flag.”
It is reported that the AFL’s ticket and entry conditions state that patrons must not “wear or otherwise display commercial, political, religious or offensive signage or logos of any kind”.
The word “nationalist” was also used in the SEN article to refer to the Israeli flag.
In the letter penned by Zionism Victoria executive director Zeddy Lawrence wrote: “The Israeli flag is no more political or nationalist than any other nation’s flag, yet there are clear examples of other countries’ flags being flown by fans at matches or displayed by players without any consequence.”
North Melbourne fans Photo: James Ross
Goldfarb added: “If it is indeed correct that the Israeli flag is not allowed while others are, I fear there are double standards at play.”
Noting that some individuals may consider a ban solely on the Israeli flag as antisemitic, Mr Goldfarb said that while he was sure that was not the intention, singling out the Israeli flag would “cause considerable consternation among members of the Jewish community”.
He concluded, “We have written to AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan seeking clarification and look forward to discussing the matter with him so this issue can be speedily resolved.”
Zeddy Lawrence also wrote: “If it is indeed correct that the Israeli flag is not allowed, I fear there are double standards at play.
And while I would be loathed to use the term antisemitism, and while I appreciate it wouldn’t be intentional, singling out Israel as opposed to other countries will certainly cause considerable consternation among members of the Jewish community.”
No flags or banner should be displayed in the seated spectator area. Besides the risk of creating disharmony they may hinder vision of spectators behind the flag and banner wavers. It was like when some women wore big hats in the cinema.