Maximum alert and a city in alarm amid demonstrations and concerns. And the helicopters in the sky
The procession in the desert. For one afternoon, Udine will offer the unprecedented image of a ghost city: the maximum alert for the Pro Pal demonstration has advised most shopkeepers and restaurateurs to lower their shutters, almost all taxi drivers will not work due to lack of customers. Those who can, will stay at home. Private cars will disappear from the centre, cordoned off for the entire two kilometer route which will host the protesters. The peace agreement signed in the Middle East did not stop the wave, as demonstrated by the approximately 30 activists who arrived yesterday under the Roman headquarters of the Football Federation. The protesters are demanding that the match not be played, indeed they are demanding that the Israeli national team not play in our country. The presence of Mossad agents is confirmed, escorting the team members everywhere. By the way: guarding the hotel where the Israeli national team sleeps, in addition to the two checkpoints and a robust protective net that forced the gas station attendant on the street to close his service station, there was also a sniper on the roof. And others will keep watch from above at the stadium during the match hours, together with the helicopters of our police forces which have already been flying over Udine for two days.
the proof
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It is a great test for public order, in an area that has never experienced similar situations. Last year too, there was attention for Italy-Israel, again in October. But the atmosphere this time is disturbing: many soldiers have been seen walking around for many hours. Army armored vehicles were also involved, in addition to the normal surveillance, for a total of 1,000 units employed. The Interior Ministry organization, which oversaw the plan together with local institutions, plans to divide the police forces into two sections, to separate the protesters from the fans by at least 3 kilometers. As? A red zone has been established around Friuli, which for one evening goes back to its real name and without the sponsor, which will require patience at security checks. Yesterday we tested the gazebos with metal detectors and Only ticket holders (there are around 9,000 people) will be able to approach the gates. Of course, it is possible that some demonstrators purchased the pass. And it is very likely that the Israeli anthem will be booed. But what will happen inside the stadium does not create particular alarms. Manor Solomon himself, the best player on the Israeli national team, explained: “We are used to playing in these conditions, we know we have everyone against us.”
infiltrations
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Real problems can arise if, together with the thousands of peaceful people who will march, the famous “violent fringes” named by the prefect of Udine in the ordinance create disorder, taking advantage of the confusion. It is no coincidence that the eve of Italy-Israel was agitated by the usual political controversy. The governor of Friuli, Massimiliano Fedriga, who has established a partnership with the Football Federation, is very critical of the participants in the procession. “There are those who want to demonstrate or create tension regardless – he said to Telefriuli -. Sport must be a tool for dialogue, instead we always seek conflict. I am sorry that we continue to ride a protest, even when a peace process is underway. Evidently there is an ulterior motive.” The mayor of Udine, Alberto Felice De Toni, instead decided to desert the stadium. “And I am sure that the demonstration will be peaceful – he clarified to Sky Sports -. My dream is to be able to host another match one day, the one between Israel and Palestine.”
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