Hamas Boycotts Barcelona Soccer Team Over Game Tickets to Ex-Captive Israeli Soldier
Hamas Boycotts Barcelona Soccer Team Over Game Tickets to Ex-Captive Israeli Soldier
Hamas is launching a media boycott of Barcelona after reports the Spanish league leader gave a complimentary ticket for an upcoming match to an Israeli soldier formerly held captive by militants in the Gaza Strip.
A Barcelona spokesman confirmed the team had given the ticket to Gilad Schalit, who was captured by Gaza militants in June 2006 and returned home last October under an Israel-Palestinian deal on prisoner exchange.
The team spokesman spoke on condition of anonymity in line with club policy. He says Barcelona often gives complimentary tickets.
Since his release, Schalit writes a newspaper sports column.