- Title: SWEDEN: Swedish anti-Israel protest turns violent
- Date: 8th March 2009
- Summary: START OF DEMONSTRATION PROTESTERS HOLDING UP PICTURES AND BANNERS PROTESTERS HOLDING LARGE PALESTINIAN FLAG MAN SHOUTING STOP THE GAME BANNER SAYING BOYCOTT ISRAEL MAN SHOUTING LONG LIVE PALESTINE IN MEGAPHONE PROTESTERS SHOUTING STOP THE MATCH PROTESTERS BANGING ON DRUMS FEET SIGN SAYING STOP THE MATCH PEOPLE WATCHING THE DEMONSTRATION FROM A WINDOW LEFT WING DEMONSTRATOR
- Embargoed: 23rd March 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Sweden
- Country: Sweden
- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVAD8C4DQ4EWYWPMABRRJYE2R59P
- Story Text: Several people are arrested as a march against Israel's participation in a Davis Cup tie against Sweden turns violent.
Around 7,000 people took part in a demonstration under the banner "Stop the Game" in Malmo on Saturday (March 7) against Israel's participation in the Davis Cup tennis competition held in the Swedish harbour city over the weekend.
The demonstration was organised by the "Stop the Game" group, an organisation that was formed to prevent the Israelis from playing on Swedish soil, saying it wanted to protest against Israel's actions in Gaza.
The demonstration started in the central square with the head of the Palestine group in Sweden as well as the leader of the Left party addressing the people who had gathered there.
One of the people who braved the cold, was local teacher Per Lundstrom who was holding a banner saying "Stop violence and racism".
"There has been so much trouble and I think one has to focus on the important things in life and if anything is important then it's to stop violence and racism. Some want to stop other things sometimes in dubious ways," he said.
Lundstrom said he did not think the match had to be stopped.
Helene Cheris on the other hand, said a sporting event such as this, gave people the opportunity to express their anger.
"They themselves (Israeli tennis players) have said that they're ambassadors for Israel and Israel has just finished a massacre in which they've actually killed 1,500 people - almost 500 children. I have children myself and I want to show that this isn't acceptable. And if we put the pressure on, then perhaps the United Nations and other decision makers can perhaps do it for us," she said.
Malmo saw violent clashes during Israel's attack on Gaza earlier this year. When people during a rally in January voiced their support for Israel both police and demonstrators were attacked.
The city has the highest percentage of immigrants in Sweden, which in turn holds one of the highest immigration rates per capita in Europe.
Security concerns resulted in local officials deciding to close the 4,000-seat Baltic Hall, where the matches are taking place, to the public and a police presence of nearly 1,000 police officers.
Another concern has been the risk of Danish left-wing radicals joining the protests. The Danish capital Copenhagen is just a 30 minute drive away.
As the demonstration went underway, police spokesman Lars Hakan Lindholm said the police did not expect trouble from the regular demonstrators.
"We think it will be a calm and peaceful demonstration. What worries us is that some other demonstrators will sneak into this demonstration. We have a good dialogue with the organisers and we don't expect any problems from that," he said.
The organisers said they hoped for large but peaceful protests.
But when the demonstration reached the stadium area, around 100 protesters broke loose and started to pelt police vehicles and horses with paint and firecrackers. According to police, five people were taken into custody.
The security concerns and protests have overshadowed the actual sporting event. Friday's singles went ahead in front of fewer than 400 people -- journalists, sponsors and guests.
After the first two matches Sweden and Israel were level at 1-1 in their Davis Cup first round after two five-set marathons.
Thomas Johansson gave the Swedes the lead by beating Harel Levy in an error-ridden match of just under four hours. Dudi Sela, the draw's highest ranked singles player, then came back from two sets to one down to beat Andreas Vinciguerra.
The tie continues on Saturday with the doubles involving Sweden's Robert Lindstedt and Simon Aspelin against Amir Hadad and Andy Ram, before the reverse singles on Sunday. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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