LONDON - 30 July 2002 - 284 words

Cyber protest at Leyton Orient match with Israeli team

Christian campaigners have reacted with shock to the news that London football team Leyton Orient has invited Israeli football teams to play at their grounds. A crowd of up to 2,500 are expected when they play a friendly match against Maccabi Tel Aviv, at Brisbane Road East London tomorrow.

The club are planning to invite more teams over. Leyton Orient's vice-chair Nick Levene, who visited Tel Aviv recently, suggested the club offer Israel "some sort of facility ...the start of a decent relationship with Israeli clubs who want to play in England" - because of current security fears.

The Amos Trust, which supports Christians in the Holy Land is asking for people to send an e-mail to Leyton Orient, appealing for the suspension of the games until a just peace has returned to the region. They also plan to hold a vigil outside the grounds.

If you would like to send an e-mail the address of Leyton Orient is: info@leytonorient.net

A sample message could read:

I am appalled to see you are holding matches with Israeli football clubs such as the one with Maccabi Tel Aviv this Wednesday, July 31.

It is totally unethical to carry on 'business as usual' with Israel when the war crimes and human rights abuses of their illegal military occupation are stains upon the conscience of humanity.

Please: don't play ball with apartheid! Observe a sporting boycott until Israel ends the occupation and its racist state terrorism. It happened with South Africa and it will happen with Israel: justice demands a boycott.

For more information about the campaign contact: the BIG Campaign for Palestine: diane.langford@easynet.co.uk


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