The Palestinians have welcomed a decision made by Argentina's national football team to pull out of a World Cup warm-up match with Israel that was set to take place in Jerusalem on Saturday.
Israelis were planning on turning the match into an occasion to celebrate the establishment of their state.
In response to the decision to cancel the game, Argentine Football Association Vice President Hugo Moyano told Radio 10: “I think it’s a good thing.”
Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi said he didn’t want to get involved in political conflicts, adding that he would not play in a game at a time when many Palestinians are suffering.
Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuaín also informed told ESPN that Argentina had "done the right thing" by pulling out of the game.
Following the announcement on Wednesday, Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub thanked Messi and the other Argentinian players on their decision.
He called it a victory for "ethics and values" of sports. "They tried to use sport as a tool for political ends, and for this I think, they failed," Rajoub said.
Palestinians had accused Israel of playing politics with the game, by moving it from its original location in Haifa to Jerusalem, and by trying to link it to celebrations surrounding Israel's 70th anniversary.
The Palestinian foreign ministry hailed the team’s decision, saying it would send a "strong and clear" message to the Israeli community that the attempts of their leaders to use sports as a political tool is rejected internationally.
But Israel was in uproar over the decision.
"It's unfortunate the soccer knights of Argentina did not withstand the pressure of the Israeli-hating inciters," said Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman. "We will not yield before a pack of anti-Semitic terrorist supporters."
The Israel Football Association also hinted that an official complaint would be sent to world football's governing body FIFA.
The Israeli Embassy in Argentina said the match had been canceled, citing unspecified "threats and provocations" against Messi.
As for Israeli Sports Minister Miri Regev, she said the match was canceled following "threats by terror elements sent to Messi and his family and to other players."
