Sports: The United Nations resolution of the establishment of two states to resolve the Palestine crisis, passed by a large majority at the United Nations General Assembly the other day, came as a setback for pro-Palestinian Argentine football fans in Kerala. It seems that all the excitement and anticipation of world champions Lionel Messi and his team coming to play in Kerala in November has been extinguished by a vote held in Geneva.
The thing is, Argentina was among the 10 nations that voted against the resolution that freed Palestine as an independent state, which was called the ‘New York Declaration’.
The resolution also strongly condemned the attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel.
When 142 countries, including India, voted in favour of the resolution, which aims to 'peacefully resolve the Palestinian issue through a two-state solution', Argentina, which has fans all over the world, is among the 10 countries that voted against it. Those who voted against included Israel, the United States, Hungary, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and Tonga. Twelve countries abstained from the vote.
Fight in fan groups online rejecting the ‘Messiah’
Following the news that Argentina is among those who opposed the dream of an independent Palestine, the Middle East's eternal peace, the fan groups erupted. After years of waiting, when Argentina and Lionel Messi confirmed that they would be coming to Kerala, the fresh developments angered Argentina’s pro-Palestine fans in the state.
The pro-Israel stand of Lionel Messi's Argentina is being used as a weapon to fight in fan groups on social media. Cristiano Ronaldo fans are also seen using the opportunity to attack Messi online. It is also noteworthy that Cristiano is notable for his pro-Palestinian stance. Being a Real Madrid player, Ronaldo made his stance clear by providing aid to schools in Gaza and visiting Palestinian children orphaned by the Israeli attack.
Brazil and France's anti-Israel stance is also being weaponised by their fans on social media against Argentina.