Israeli tennis player jeered by pro-Palestinian protestors in New Zealand

Police in Auckland, New Zealand, have arrested eight pro-Palestinian protestors after they repeatedly disturbed matches of the Israeli tennis player Shahar Pe’er. 'Global Peace and Justice Auckland', held protests outside Peer’s matches at the ASB Classic Tournament for four days to protest against Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians.

John Minto, the spokesman of the group and one of the eight men who were arrested, said that last year’s protests in Auckland against Peer had played a major factor in the United Arab Emirates deciding not to grant her a visa to play in Dubai a month later. Minto’s group was charged with disorderly behavior after chanting with megaphones outside the tennis grounds.

The 22-year-old Israeli player, who lost her semi-final match, said: “Unfortunately I have to deal with politics because of where I come from. It is not fair because I have nothing to do with politics, I am only a tennis player who wants to enjoy the tour like the other players."

Peer added: "It is not easy to hear someone shouting your name and asking you to go away and withdraw from the tournament."