Anti-Israel protesters disrupt Israeli player’s tennis match in New Zealand
Demonstrators chant ‘Free Palestine,’ ‘Israel is a terror state,’ and ‘Israel out’ as Lina Glushko faces off against Naomi Osaka, forcing game to be stopped several times
Anti-Israel protesters disrupted a tennis match between Israeli player Lina Glushko and Japanese champion Naomi Osaka in New Zealand on Monday, forcing the match to be paused twice in the first set.
The chants of “Free Palestine,” “Israel is a terror state,” and “Israel out” from outside the tennis court could be heard inside, as the demonstrators used microphones.
Organizers were unable to move the protesters, however, as they were on a public street.
Monday’s disruptions of the match came after Glushko saw incitement against her on social media in New Zealand over the last few days, according to the Ynet news site. The online attacks included references to pro-Israel posts she has made.
In the lead-up to the match, New Zealand’s media referred to it as a face-off between “Naomi Osaka and a former IDF soldier,” Channel 12 News reported on Monday.
Glushko told the Kan public broadcaster that the experience was scary and that she had to be given a bodyguard.
Lina glushko es de Israel y está jugando el atp de Auckland, New Zealand.
Hay protestas contra Israel afuera del court. pic.twitter.com/4XJhDUsKbd— Rafael Paiva (@Raiva91) December 30, 2024
I started hearing anti-Israel chants, and then they got closer to the court. They shouted ‘Lina murders children.’ This has never happened to me,” she said.
“I’m continuing my hasbara (public diplomacy) work. I go to many places around the world, and I see people who don’t understand what they’re protesting about. They have no knowledge of what is happening [in Israel], and they do what they do to tell themselves that they’re doing something for peace,” she added.
Other delays in the match were caused by swirling wind on the court and a long break when Glushko had to leave for treatment for a hip injury.
Despite the disruptions, the match was close, with Osaka beating Glushko with a 6-4, 6-4 score.
Osaka broke Glushko in the third game of the first set and held comfortably to win 6-4.
The second set was tighter. Osaka broke Glushko in the third game but Glushko converted her only break point of the match to level at 2-2.
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