ACOM noted that “this type of violent and discriminatory manifestations are not especially new in the Basque region, where for many years the environment of the terrorist group ETA and the most violent antisemitism have converged without problems in the implementation of antisemitic boycotts and pressure.”

 

A pro-Israel advocacy group in Spain has condemned the authorities in the city of Bilbao for their inaction over the violence faced by a group of Israeli basketball fans on the streets of the northern Spanish city last weekend.

The group said it is considering taking legal action.

“We condemn the atmosphere of violence unleashed with impunity for days in Bilbao against the supporters of the Israeli basketball team Hapoel Holon,” ACOM, a group fighting delegitimization of Israel and antisemitism in Spain, said in a statement.

“The threats have passed from words and intimidation to aggression and physical persecution,” it said.

On Sunday, the group of Israeli basketball fans was attacked by pro-Palestinians.

The Israelis, supporters of Hapoel U-Net Holon, were in Spain for the team’s FIBA Basketball Champions League game against Germany’s MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg.

Hapoel supporter Boaz Yitzhaki told Ynet the Israeli group had been “ambushed” while on the way to the stadium.

“We marched to the stadium together. Suddenly, a group of pro-Palestinians started throwing objects at us from a bar decorated with a Palestinian flag,” he said.

“They threw chairs, glasses and bottles at us. We had families and children with us. It was a very, very scary incident,” said Yitzhaki, who added that police stationed nearby were slow to react.

ACOM noted that “this type of violent and discriminatory manifestations are not especially new in the Basque region, where for many years the environment of the terrorist group ETA and the most violent antisemitism have converged without problems in the implementation of antisemitic boycotts and pressure.”