The Jewish Voice for Peace organization, which frequently holds anti-Israel protests outside such venues as politicians’ offices and Israel-affiliated groups, will protest Tel Aviv's basketball team today.
JVP will rally outside the Barclays Center, where the NBA Brooklyn Nets will hold a pre-season exhibition game against Maccabi Tel Aviv, which recently won Europe’s pro basketball championship.
“Macabi (sic) Tel Aviv is NOT welcome on our courts!” a JVP message on Facebook stated. “BROOKLYN DOESN'T PLAY WITH APARTHEID!”
The rally is designed to draw attention to the group’s criticism of Israeli conduct in this summer’s Operation Protective Edge war against Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
“Think it's 'just a game'?” the Facebook message asked. “Macabi Tel Aviv and other Israeli sports teams are consistently deployed around the world in support of the occupation of Palestine — in this very trip to New York, they'll be joining a fundraiser for the Friends of the IDF, a US-based org that funnels money to the Israeli military.
The 7:30 p.m. game will be preceded by a VIP reception hosted by the Friends group. The reception will honor Israeli soldiers wounded this summer, as well as NBA great Dolph Schayes.
Anti-Israel organizations often protest the appearance of Israeli basketball and soccer teams in Europe.
steve@jewishweek.org
