Australia might have lifted WC trophy but the real winner was pitch imposter with Palestinian flag

The bold protest has sparked social media debate amidst ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict

A spectator sporting a pro-Palestine T-shirt breached the grounds during the ICC Cricket World Cup final between India and Australia on Sunday. Photos of the incident immediately began circulating on the internet depicting the Palestine solidarity protester wearing a mask adorned with the Palestinian flag and a T-shirt with the messages "Free Palestine" and "Stop Bombing Palestine." 

The ‘pitch invader’ approached Indian batsman Virat Kohli, who was at the crease in the men's final of the 50-over match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, capital of the Indian state of Gujarat. Security personnel promptly removed the intruder. 

Many took to social media platforms to express their reactions with one user on X (formerly Twitter) enthusiastically declaring it “the coolest thing” to happen in a cricket match “in decades.” While another commended the protester’s courage.

I WILL NOT SHUT UP ABOUT THE FREE PALESTINE PROTESTER. That’s the coolest thing I’ve seen at a cricket match in years, decades even

— 小僧 (@ZhuShamoon) November 19, 2023

The post read, “This protester jumped off the barricades, entered the cricket field while wearing a T-shirt that said "Stop Bombing Palestine" and hugged a very famous Indian cricketer. I'm sharing this because this man had the guts to raise his voice and showcase a Palestine flag during a live [match].”

Y'all this protester, jumped off the barricades, entered the cricket field while wearing a tshirt that says "Stop Bombing Palestine" and hugged a very famous Indian cricketer.
i'm sharing this bec this man had the guts to raise his voice, showcase Palestine flag during a live+ pic.twitter.com/U54bskt6px

— Amitaaaaaaaa (Taylor's version) (@the_fidelius20) November 19, 2023

Among the pitch invader’s critics, one X user denounced his actions as an attention-seeking ploy and urged people to stop circulating it. He wrote, “Requesting everyone not to share the image of that protestor who came to steal the limelight, wearing a Free Palestine T-shirt. He wanted eyeballs. Stop giving them by sharing the image.”

Requesting everyone not to share the image of that protestor who came to steal the limelight wearing free palestine T shirt. He wanted eyeballs. Stop giving it by sharing the image.

— Abhi and Niyu (@abhiandniyu) November 19, 2023

The post garnered over 20,000 likes, with hundreds of Palestine supporters flooding the quote replies with pictures of the protester. As Israel’s military operative against Hamas enters day 46, the humanitarian crisis afflicting Palestinians continues to worsen. 

Almost 2.5k quotes all sharing pictures! GLORIOUS. 🇵🇸🏳️‍🌈 https://t.co/Qb042bxQvo pic.twitter.com/ujhkn0veln

— Ishmeet Nagpal 🏳️‍🌈🇵🇸 (@IshmeetNagpal) November 19, 2023

On Monday, Israeli troops were "expanding" their operation in the Gaza Strip, as Qatari mediators said they were inching closer to a deal to free some of the 240 hostages held by Hamas militants. The Palestinian health authority says the death toll from Israel's aerial bombardment and ground operations in Gaza has reached 13,000, thousands of them children.

Israel has warned residents of Gaza's largest refugee camp Jabalia and a nearby coastal camp to evacuate, as the military said Sunday it was "expanding its operational activities in additional neighbourhoods... of the Gaza Strip." 

After intense bombardment, an AFP journalist in Gaza saw columns of smoke rising from Jabalia on Sunday. A health official said more than 80 people were killed in twin strikes on Jabalia, including on a UN school sheltering displaced people.

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