UK Accused of Double Standards Allowing Israel to Play in London

8 September 2007

Tehran-The British government Saturday was accused of double standards by denying visas to a Palestinian Under-19 squad, while allowing Israel to take part in Euro 2008 qualifying match against England at Wembley Stadium.

The recent decision to prevent the Palestinian team from traveling to play friendly match was "bizarre, taken with no formal reason being given," said a letter to the Times newspaper signed by over 300 prominent Jews in the UK.

"Where the UK should have facilitated a morale-boosting tour it has instead proffered double standards," said the letter, which was organized by Jews for Justice for Palestinians to coincide with England's controversial game against Israel.

Signatures included many academics and artists, including leader playwright Sir Tom Stoppard, film director Mike Leigh and author Jonathan Miller as well as Labour MP Harry Cohen.

The British government was urged to give the Palestinian the same chance to participate in sporting contests as the Israeli national football team.

"It is not too late to rectify the situation; the tour can go ahead more or less as planned. It requires only that the Government treats Palestinian footballers in the same way as their Israeli counterparts. We strongly urge they do so immediately," they said.

The call comes as the Boycott Israeli Goods Campaign and Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods (J-BIG) were hold a vigil outside Wembley Stadium to protest against England playing Israel.

The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC) said that the protest is part of the campaign to suspend Israel from international football until it complies with international law and UN resolutions.

To coincide with the match, an online petition has also been launched to bar Israel from participating in European and international competitions.