-
Shahar Peer -
Related
Anti-Israel activists have protested at the women's tennis
tournament in Auckland where Israeli player Shahar Peer is
competing.
They waved shoes at fans, urging them to boycott Peer's quarter
finals matches on Thursday.
They say she should speak out against her government's Gaza
campaign and quit the tournament.
"We are asking her to make a big sacrifice but it's not as big as the sacrifice Palestinians are making every day of their lives," says John Minto of the Global Peace and Justice network.
Minto says Israel's attacks on the Gaza strip are indefensible and the latest chapter in a 60 year-old history of oppression and brutality against Palestinians.
He has reportedly met with Auckland tennis bosses over the situation.
National MP Maurice Williamson says Peer is not representing her country in the tournament.
"She's an individual, paid for herself to come, leave her alone," he says.
Security was stepped-up but police did not make any arrests.
Peer has ignored the protesters, saying she is just here to play Tennis.
"What is going on in Israel is not easy for any one of us, hopefully it will end as soon as possible."
Some tennis fans appeared less than impressed by the protesters' actions while others seemed rather bemused by the sideshow.
