Nir Bitton slammed ‘brainwashed’ Celtic supporters (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Ex-Celtic star Nir Bitton has slammed the club’s ‘brainwashed’ supporters for showing their support for Palestine following attacks on Israel.
Hamas launched the largest incursion in decades over the weekend as fighters stormed the border.
Over 700 Israelis were killed, while dozes more have been taken hostage.
Israel has responded with retaliation of its own, killing over 300 in the Gaza Strip.
As well as ordering attacks of their own, Israel has ordered a ‘complete siege’ of Gaza that will mean ‘No electricity, no food and no fuel’ for the region, according to Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
Bitton, an Israel international, left Celtic for Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2022 after nine years at Parkhead.
Celtic fans unfurled pro-Palestine banners(Credits: Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock)
The Green Brigade Ultras regularly supported Palestine during Bitton’s time in Glasgow.
However, their decision to produce pro-Palestine banners before Saturday’s match against Kilmarnock irked Bitton.
Taking to Instagram, Bitton told supporters of how former club to ‘educate’ themselves and accused them of being ‘brainwashed’.
Bitton’s message (Picture: Instagram)
‘Shame on you!!! Yes free Gaza from Hamas not from Israel!!’ wrote Bitton.
‘Supporting terror organisation who’s proudly celebrating the slaughtering of families is absolutely crazy!! Embarrassing.
‘Most of you don’t even know where Israel is!! You have zero clue about this conflict and you still act like you know everything.
‘As a father for 3 kids I want to see how you react when your innocent kids getting slaughtered and kidnapped in front of your eyes!
‘And please don’t tell me this is what Israel do to Palestinians because this is far from being true!!
‘Stop being brainwashed and biased and educate yourself with facts!!’
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Responding to a Celtic fan, Bitton said he held the same views during his time at the club.
‘I was never silent and always supported Israel,’ said Bitton.
‘The thing is that we never experienced a day like today before.
‘We can deal with rockets above us… unfortunately its part of our kids’ daily routine but for hundreds of terrorists to come into Israel and slaughter full families, kids, elderly people and stepping on them and kidnapping them and celebrating like monsters this is a red line that we must not accept regardless [of] who you are and where you [come] from.’
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