ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - The players on Israeli basketball team Bnei Hasharon fled to their changing room Tuesday after angry protests by hundreds of Turkish fans before a European Cup game against Turkish club Turk Telekom.
The game was later postponed after about 1,500 policemen failed to evacuate the Ataturk sports arena. Authorities did not
say when or where the match would be played.
Turkish fans chanted «God is Great» and «Killer Israel» as they waved fists at the visiting team, forcing them to retreat to their changing room. At least one fan threw his shoe at some Israeli players, but police used riot shields to protect them.
A pro-Islamic group earlier set an Israeli flag on fire outside the arena.
The players of Turk Telekom also withdrew to their changing rooms amid the chaos.
Turkey has harshly criticized Israel over its ground offensive in Gaza and has urged an immediate cease-fire in the Palestinian territory. It has also called on the United Nations to take steps to end the violence.
