Like Palestinians, Arabs, Africans, and millions of others around the world, Palestinians in East Jerusalem poured into the streets of their city to celebrate Morocco’s brilliant 1–0 win over Portugal in the World Cup quarter finals on Saturday, December 10.
History was being made, after all: Morocco had just become the first country in Africa and the Arab world to ever reach the World Cup semifinals.
Fans gathered in various parts of East Jerusalem, including in the most important public Palestinian community space—on the plaza in front of the ancient gate to the Old City, Bab al-Amud.
Waving flags and chanting, the exuberant fans were only allowed a few brief moments of raucous celebration before Israeli police in war-suited riot gear arrived en masse with batons and tear gas to shut them down violently, including by beating some and chasing some away from the scene.
Ironically, this was also International Human Rights Day, marking the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
