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Algeria beats Morocco, celebrates waving Palestinian flag

Fifa Arab Cup: Algeria beats Morocco, celebrates waving Palestinian flag
MENA
2 min read
12 December, 2021
Algeria has shown constant support for Palestine, including on the football field where its players sometimes raise the Palestinian flag along theirs.
Players of Algeria waived the Algerian flag and the Palestinian one following their victory against Morocco [Anadolu via Getty]

An Algerian player raised the on the field following his team's victory against in the FIFA Arab Cup on Friday. The Algerian team beat Morocco at the penalties to qualify for the semi-finals, where it will face Qatar.

Footage of the gesture was widely shared on social media, attracting praise from many supporters of the Palestinian cause.

Algerian players frequently raise the Palestinian flag alongside theirs, a sign of support that Palestinian football players sometimes return. In November, players of a Palestinian football club wore the Algerian flag during a Palestinian first division match.

Friday's game took place against the backdrop of increasing tensions between Algeria and Morocco over the disputed Western Sahara, which has also shaped Morocco's stand on the Palestinian cause. Morocco recently agreed to in exchange for US recognition of Western Sahara as part of the kingdom.

Moroccan police has since  against protesters at a pro-Palestine rally.

Contrasting with its Moroccan rival, Algeria has publicly reaffirmed its support for the Palestinian cause and pledged $100 million in aid to the Palestinians last week during an official visit of Palestinian leader Mahmoud  in Algiers.

Algeria is also to host the next Arab League summit in March 2022, where the Palestinian cause will be at the centre of the agenda - amid a string of US-brokered normalisation deals with the Israel.