Palestinians are calling for Lionel Messi to boycott a friendly match between Argentina and Israel this weekend as Israel is applauding his arrival as a public relations triumph.
Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev said on Monday on Army Radio that the Barcelona star is planning to visit the Western Wall, a Jewish holy site, and called his arrival a public relations win.
Palestinian football association head Jabril Rajoub said the match was an Israeli “political tool” and called on Palestinians to burn Messi’s jerseys and photos if he plays in Jerusalem.
Rajoub on Sunday protested outside the Argentinian representative office in Ramallah.
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