Former Team Mates, Yossi Benayoun And Joey Barton Exchange Words On Twitter Over Israel-Gaza Conflict

Joey Barton and Yossi Benayoun were involved in a Twitter spat today over the divisive conflict between Gaza and Israel.


Barton, well known for making social comment and quoting The Smiths and Nietzsche on Twitter, spoke out about the 18-day-old conflict which has left over 800 dead - the vast majority of which have been Palestinian.


"The attack on the school in Beit Hanoun is deplorable.

#StopKillingChildrenInGaza," wrote Barton this morning.

He continued: "If this was anybody else but Israel the West would intervene. It cannot continue.

Innocent children being slaughtered. This must stop.

"How can a God stand by and watch this? Or even condone this?

Is this all part of his master plan?


"The UN attempting to evacuate the school when the bombing took place? Asked IDF for window to evacuate. Not given. Children die as a result."

Barton, who used to play for Manchester City and Newcastle
also tweeted a picture.

Benayoun, who was born in Israel and has almost 100 caps for the national team, responded to Barton's rant against Israeli actions in Gaza, saying:

'Mate things can never changed you have been stupid and you will stay stupid all your life..embarrassing .'

Barton replied: 'Firstly, you cannot call somebody stupid with such bad grammar. Secondly, you cannot and should not kill innocent children.


Thirdly, you cannot remove people from their land because a fictional book from thousands of years ago tells you can. Last but not least, I hope you and your family are safe and well and remain so through this terrible time.'


Continuing with his posts, Barton added: 'Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil? Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?'

On Wednesday, and with French side Lille winning 2-0, supporters of reportedly Turkish origin entered
the pitch and headed for Maccabi Hafia players, including Benayoun, formerly of West Ham Chelsea,
Liverpool and Arsenal.

One of the players is seen to trip a fan before punches were thrown.


The Maccabi stars - some of whom retaliated - managed to leave the field unhurt.

Commenting on the incident, Benayoun, 34, said: 'As a football club we condemn all acts of verbal and physical violence.


'Yesterday (on Wednesday) in the closing minutes of the match we were attacked by thugs on the pitch simply because we are Israelis. We had no choice but to defend ourselves.'


He continued: 'The older players saw it as our duty to defend the youth players and we asked them not to become involved in the brawl.


'As a team we are one unit who defend each other for better or worse. We ask our loyal fans not to judge any of us over this exceptional incident.'