Celtic (foto: //)
Celtic supporters and activist groups have urged the club to abandon a proposed £2m transfer from Israeli side Maccabi Netanya, citing political and ethical objections.
Supporters of Celtic are attempting to block a proposed transfer involving an Israeli club, urging the Glasgow side to abandon a reported £2 million deal for a forward from Maccabi Netanya.
The backlash has come from a combination of Celtic supporters and pro-Palestinian activist organisations, who argue that the club should not engage in financial transactions with Israeli football institutions amid the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Campaigners have also pointed to a growing global call for a sporting boycott of Israel.
‘Not a neutral football transfer’
The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) released a statement condemning the planned move.
“This is not an ordinary football transfer. Israeli clubs are not neutral sporting institutions,” the group said.
PACBI added that Celtic should refuse to do business with clubs they describe as representing an apartheid state, citing claims of tens of thousands of Palestinians killed in Gaza, including more than 800 athletes, and the systematic destruction of sporting infrastructure.
Ownership links raise further concern
Criticism intensified following reports that Maccabi Netanya is owned by Aliya Capital Partners, whose founder and chief executive reportedly sits on the board of Xtend Defense, an Israeli military drone manufacturer that supplies the Israeli armed forces.
Scottish advocacy group Scottish Sport for Palestine described the proposed transfer as incompatible with the club’s identity.
“This is an insult to Palestinians, to the club’s identity and to Celtic supporters who live the principles of BDS every day,” the organisation said, referring to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
Celtic’s long-standing supporter stance
Celtic’s fan base has long been associated with vocal support for Palestine, particularly the ultra group Green Brigade, whose displays of Palestinian flags and choreographies have drawn international attention — and disciplinary action from UEFA — in recent years.
While the Green Brigade have not issued an official statement on the proposed transfer, social media platforms have been flooded with criticism from supporters accusing the club’s hierarchy of betraying its values. Some fans have threatened to boycott the club should the deal go through.
“Using supporters’ money in this way means funding genocide,” read one widely shared comment online.
Racism concerns also cited
Some supporters have also pointed to fan culture issues in Israel. They referenced an October report by Kick It Out Israel, which noted a sharp rise in racist chanting at Israeli stadiums. According to the report, Maccabi Netanya supporters ranked third for racist incidents, behind Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
A petition opposing the transfer has gathered a significant number of signatures in a short period, with activists arguing that completing the deal would run counter to Celtic’s history and traditions.
“Celtic was founded out of hunger and injustice to support poor Irish immigrants in Glasgow,” a statement from Scotland for Palestine read.
“Its supporters clearly and consistently stand with the oppressed Palestinian people. The club has the resources to look for reinforcements elsewhere.”