Calls for a second ban on the Green Brigade
Celtic have been urged to issue the Green Brigade with a second ban over the “End Genocide – End Zionism” banner flown at the weekend.
The banner, which read “Think about these past few months – oh will they say we’ve failed? 30,000 dead, 12,000 + children. End the genocide – end Zionism” was unfurled during Celtic’s 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock at Parkhead on Saturday.
Senior officials have been warned that they risk loosing Jewish supporters and some sponsors if Parkhead fails to take action against the group.
The banner contained tweaked lyrics from the Irish song Grace which became a popular Celtic chant in 2016.
In a statement posted on X, the Green Brigade said: “Grace is a song of hope, resistance and freedom. We pay tribute to the fearless people of Palestine.”
The Green Brigade were issued their first ban from matches in October following what Celtic FC described as an “escalation in unacceptable behaviors and non-compliance with applicable regulations”.
The assumption was that this ban related to displays of Palestinian solidarity by the group who were flying Palestinian flags and banners.
On the day of the Hamas attack on Israel, banners reading “Victory to the Resistance” were displayed by the Celtic Ultras in the safe-standing section at Parkhead.
The group were allowed to return to matches in December following talks with senior club officials about conduct and the content of banners.
The Ultras, along with many other Celtic supporters, have continued to fly Palestinian flags at matches.
Kieran McKay, 42, a Celtic fan and ex-season ticket holder, said: “It’s challenging – our club is rooted in solidarity and it’s important that we continue to hold oppression to account. But it’s also important that we remain tolerant, open, and welcoming.”
The events follow the announcement from Celtic’s manager Brendan Rogers on Friday that the club’s Jewish-Israeli player Liel Abada had been left out of the Scottish Cup game against St Mirren last week due to being in a fragile state of mind.
Liel Abada is reported to be seeking transfer due to struggling with the staunchly pro-Palestine stance of some supporters at Celtic Park.
Speaking to the Herald, one Jewish fan, who has been a Celtic season ticket holder for 30 years, said: “What has happened this season has created a major conflict between two parts of my identity.
“People may have good intentions, but it is easy to see the world in black and white once you have accepted your narrative. Everything then becomes straightforward – if you are not with me, you are against me.”
Celtic FC was established in 1887 by the Irish catholic diaspora in Glasgow’s East End with the aim of alleviating poverty in the local parish. The club has historically shown solidarity with left-wing and anti-imperial causes.
