Celtic Supporters Thread (contains GB chat)

You get a few numptys trying to force their way in at every ground and every game since the * dawn of time ffs

 

I don't think he's meaning at games

 

I actually remember seeing a swastika on a clay pot in Indonesia. Its history as a symbol is interesting.

It's a fair point about context, but only technically. For practical purposes, it's dead wrong. So let me rephrase: the Palestinian flag is always appropriate because in our lifetimes they have never not been oppressed on any particular day you might like to choose. The descendents of the people expelled still can't return. The people of the West Bank still have their lives controlled by walls and checkpoints and watch settlers take more and more of their land and the people of Gaza still live in a giant open-air prison. It's a context of a sort, technically you're right; but one that started before the vast majority of us were born and has never stopped. I wasn't trying to give you a history lesson about things you didn't know; I was reminding you about things you really ought not to have disregarded by equating the Palestinian flag and the Israeli one.

I actually find it quite distasteful to compare the Israeli and Palestinian flags. The IDF are doing what they are doing as the official military of a democracy. They aren't an independent organisation. If the democratic government tells them to stop bombing innocent civillians, they will stop. That connects what the IDF do with the Israeli flag.

The Israeli flag could be appropriate sometimes, such as when terror attacks happen; the Palestinian flag is always appropriate, because it never stops happening for them.

 

Because the politics resonates with the support for obvious reasons to do with Ireland. I have a post above with lots of specific examples of how football and politics have always been connected. Let's take an example from the weekend: Would anyone say, "I'm not against campaigns against racism; but what business does it have at a match between Celtic and Hearts?"

What on earth makes you think they aren't also doing these things?

This is wrong. As individuals, we are utterly powerless and can only achieve things when we come together. Football clubs have long been one means of achieving that: there really is a long history of that.

On a personal note (I'm not arguing for this, just giving my own feeling), I actually prefer seeing it through things like football clubs rather than groups like Antifa or whatever. Groups that come together purely for political reasons and nothing else often seem to me to have an unhealthy obsessive, self-righteous quality to them. Making everything in life about politics is probably as unsound as the opposite pattern of trying to keep all politics out.

 

If it’s gotten more people to give to money to the Palestinian people, or made people aware of their plight, then it’s job done as far as I’m concerned. The Palestinian flag absolutely has a place in Celtic Park.

 

There are a lot of us that just want to support the team, and don't want to see the club dragged into a debate about a situation thousands of miles away. We're playing Atletico Madrid in the CL tonight FFS.

There are literally hundreds of other very worthwhile causes we could be supporting, but I'd rather we just focussed on the football.

 

Got an email from Celtic asking us not to bring any flags.

 

The same money can be raised without the demonstration and I think you are placing the GB on somewhat of an over inflated pedestal if you believe it makes people aware of their plight.

 

Would anyone say, "I'm not against campaigns against racism; but what business does it have at a match between Celtic and Hearts?"

Racism in football is right in front of everyone's eyes, hence why there was a show of demonstration at the match. The conflict in Gaza has absolutely nothing to with football, Celtic, you or me.

 

Did people get emailed about them not wanting us to bring banners or flags of the countries at conflict? they never even mention Palestine or Israel just the "destruction in The Holy Land"

 

Celtic not wanting a fine and bribing the support with a red cross donation

 

This. I would suggest that the vast majority of fans feel this way inside Parkhead. If the GB are aware of this, then what does it tell you about the respect they have for us?

 

Don't forget "quintessential"

 

Look at how many have been speaking about it since the display. Whether that be in our own fanbase or in the media in general. It got attention no doubt about that. If that makes people look into the situation in Gaza and learn the history behind the conflict then that can only be a good thing. It’s not me that’s placing the GB on any sort of pedestal. Our media and some in our support who think what the GB do reflects on our whole support are the people who are putting them on one.

 

We have witnessed death, violence and destruction in the Holy Land in recent weeks, with thousands of people - men, women and children - killed, injured and displaced.

We are witnessing a tragedy of horrendous scale. As it continues, everyone at Celtic prays for all who have been affected.

We also hope and pray for peace, and for humanitarian support to reach those who are in need and in fear.

Many of our colleagues, supporters, friends and families have been affected by these events.

Against this backdrop of conflict and pain, sport can promote peace and demonstrate humanity and empathy for all who continue to suffer.

For the Club’s UEFA Champions League match against Atletico Madrid this evening, Celtic and Atletico Madrid players and coaching staff will wear black armbands, as a show of respect and support for all those affected by the conflict.

The Club is also making a contribution to the International Committee of the Red Cross to support people affected by the humanitarian crisis in the region.

The Club recognises that our supporters hold personal views to which everyone is entitled. As a club open to all, we all belong at Celtic Park.

Celtic Park is where we come to support our football club. Recognising this, respecting the gravity of the tragedy unfolding and its impact on communities in Scotland and across the world, and in line with other clubs, leagues and associations, we ask that banners, flags and symbols relating to the conflict and those countries involved in it are not displayed at Celtic Park at this time.

As we approach this crucial fixture, as ever, we sincerely thank our fans for their positive support of the players and the team.

We thank you very much for your continued support of Celtic Football Club.

 

Have you read the GB statement regarding tonight? They have said that they will be handing out Palestinian flags, but respect the fans who do not wish to participate, but also think it’s right that the ones wanting to show support for Palestine are afforded the same respect. Basically, stop getting your knickers in a twist. If you don’t want to join in, then don’t, it’s that simple. Don’t come on preaching what other fans should do however.

 

I would say the opposite, how many Celtic fans do you know against supporting Palestine?

I don't know any and I know a good 50+ season ticket holders.

 

I think the GB are high of themselves and a bit of *, but they are the ones leading the chants which is needed. Would we survive without them? Absolutely. We would just get other fans packed into the standing sections. I do agree with them on the Israel/Palestine matter though.

 

Everyone has a right to a belief and an opinion. I'm not trying to question this right. All I'm saying is that Celtic park should not be the platform for this. Its caused nothing but bad publicity to the club and created dissention amongst the supporters. How is that a good thing?

 

Has it really though? what fans are bothered and where is the bad publicity if anything it seems like good publicity.