On Monday, protesters interrupted a professional tennis match between Israeli player Lina Glushko and Japan’s Naomi Osaka during the first round of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand.
A group of demonstrators stood outside the ASB Tennis Center, using microphones to chant anti-Israel slogans such as “Free Palestine,” “Israel out,” and “Israel is a terror state.” They also accused the 24-year-old from Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut of child murder.
While the disruption was audible inside the venue, event organizers were unable to take action because the participants were gathered in a public space.
Glushko later shared with Israel’s Kan public broadcaster that the situation led to her being assigned a bodyguard.
According to Israel’s Ynet News, Glushko faced an increase in online harassment in the days leading up to the contest that was ultimately won by her Japanese opponent with a score of 6-4, 6-4.
