India vs Australia: Pro-Palestine protester invades pitch, hugs Kohli
What's the story
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final match between India and Australia was interrupted for a few minutes on Sunday after a man wearing a white t-shirt with the message "Stop bombing Palestine" invaded the pitch. Images from the Narendra Modi Stadium that have gone viral also show the man trying to hug Virat Kohli from behind before being escorted away by security personnel.
Twitter Post
Images from Modi stadium that went viral
#FreePalestine message makes it to the Narendra Modi Stadium
— Lavanya 🎙️🎥👩🏻💻 (@lav_narayanan) November 19, 2023
The pitch invader we did not see on broadcast sported a mask with the Palestine flag colours and a plea to stop the bombing in Gaza on his shirt. #CWC23 #INDvsAUSfinal #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/g9LK87QXiz
Identity
I wanted to meet Kohli, says protester
The pitch invader was later taken to the Chandkheda Police Station in Ahmedabad. In a video from the police station shared by ANI, the man introduced himself as John from Australia and stated that he invaded the pitch to meet Kohli. As to why he was wearing a Palestine t-shirt, he simply says it was because he supports Palestine.
Twitter Post
Identity of protester revealed
#WATCH | Gujarat: The man who entered the field during the India vs Australia Final match, brought to the Chandkheda Police Station in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/pm9AMyhsSi
— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2023
Conflict
Israel-Hamas conflict enters seventh week
The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas has entered its seventh week, with civilian casualties continuing to mount in Gaza. Around 12,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in the retaliatory attack from Israel after Hamas launched a surprise attack on the Jewish nation on October 7. Israel, on the other hand, revised its estimated death toll from 1,400 to 1,200.