Two Israeli Hapoel Tel Aviv fans were beaten with batons and arrested in Spain while clashing with pro-Palestinian protesters after celebrating the EuroCup, according to testimonies from Israelis at the scene.
Police officers stood between pro-Palestinian protesters chanting against fans of the Israeli sports team, one eyewitness of the arrests said. The witness added that one of the Israeli team's fans approached the protesters, which led to police tackling and arresting him.
Hapoel Tel Aviv fans claim abuse by Spanish police following basketball gameTwo Hapoel Tel Aviv fans describe alleged police brutality in Las Palmas after celebrating their team’s EuroCup win on local team; Claiming antisemitic abuse, wrongful arrest, and harsh detention… pic.twitter.com/vy0AETvkS3
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A friend who was with him tried to document the moment of the arrest and was also taken into custody. The fans had been trying to reach their friend when the scuffle with security broke out, according to earlier reports by N12.
The two have since remained in police custody, and it is unclear when they will be allowed to return to Israel.
Friends of the two arrested have sought help and are trying to get them Israeli lawyers, claiming that so far they have not been able to find a local lawyer to handle the case, according to N12, citing reports.
Hapoel Tel Aviv BC said on X/Twitter that they are "closely monitoring the case, and are working with all relevant parties to ensure their safe return home."
The game they came to see
The EuroCup saw the Tel Aviv team win against the Spanish team CB Gran Canaria 103:94 the night before. This is the first time in 21 years that an Israeli team has won the basketball tournament. The last Israeli team to win the tournament was Hapoel Jerusalem in 2004.
The Foreign Ministry warned fans who traveled to Spain for the game on Thursday to take extra precautions.
Fans were advised to stay away from anti-Israel demonstrations, avoid traveling alone, and tone down displays of team symbols as well as Jewish and Israeli symbols when outside the stadium.
EuroCup is the European Basketball League's second-tier tournament, and Hapoel Tel Aviv's victory solidified their ascension to EuroLeague, which is the league's first-tier tournament.