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ISRAELI police yesterday warned Celtic fans they’ll take a zero-tolerance approach if Palestinian flags are waved during this week’s Champions League qualifier.

Supporters have been told they face arrest if they try to repeat the demonstration staged at Parkhead on Wednesday.

European football’s governing body UEFA opened disciplinary proceedings against the club on Friday after fans displayed flags in support of Palestine during the home leg of the tie against Hapoel Be’er Sheva.

Police say Celtic fans travelling to Beersheba for the return clash will be searched for pro-Palestine banners before they enter the ground.

Fans caught with the national flag of Palestine in Hapoel’s Turner stadium will have them confiscated and face arrest for provoking rival fans.

A security summit is being held tomorrow to detail the policing plan for the game.

Israeli police spokesman Chief Inspector Micky Rosenfeld said: “Obviously it won’t be allowed – that is for sure. The flags would of course be taken off them.

“This is a professional football game and not a political opportunity.

“In terms of the football game, it’s not going to add to the atmosphere and might start up tensions which could lead to other issues.

“Our aim is to prevent any incidents from taking place as a result of any unnecessary provocative behaviour by any of the fans.

“There will be security measures implemented to prevent those sorts of incidents from taking place.

“It is not illegal to have a Palestinian flag in Israel but provocation by fans of either side is and we will not tolerate it.”

Police have confiscated Palestinian flags in the past to prevent violence when they have been waved at games involving local Arab and Israeli teams.

Rosenfeld added: “I would imagine the same sort of security measures would be implemented.

“Any material that would cause incitement to violence would definitely not be permitted to be taken to the game to prevent any disturbances inside the stadium or outside.

“Private security guards and the police will respond accordingly based on the type of incident.”

Protesters say Beersheba is built on occupied Palestinian land.

Around 100 Palestine flags were displayed during Celtic’s 5-2 first-leg win on Wednesday.

Many of them were in Parkhead’s new standing section, which is occupied by the Green Brigade fans’ group.

They held up the flags despite warnings from Police Scotland and the possibility of UEFA sanctions.

UEFA rules prohibit the use of “any message that is not fit for a sports

event, particularly messages that are of a political, ideological, religious, offensive or provocative nature”.

Celtic have been punished eight times in five seasons for misconduct by fans.

(Image: Reuters/Russell Cheyne)

When the latest case is dealt with on September 22, they could be hit with a heavy fine or even part-closure of their stadium for a future European fixture.

Two years ago, Celtic were fined about £16,000 after a Palestine flag was displayed at a Champions League qualifier against KR Reykjavik.

In total, the club have been fined £123,000 for the use of flares, prohibited banners, unacceptable crowd behaviour and improper team conduct at Euro ties.

Newcastle-based Middle East expert Dr Denis MacEoin – a Pro-Israel member of US think-tank Gatestone – said: “There is a lot of serious talk that Hamas may be building up towards another war so the waving of Palestinian flag could be seen as provocation.

“UEFA have made it clear to Celtic that you are not allowed to do this.

“If this did happen in Beersheba, that would seal their fate.

“You would also expect the police to step in and arrest some of the ring-leaders if there is flag-waving.”

Ezra Golombok, director of the Glasgow-based Israel Information Centre, added:”People should just go and enjoy the game. If they do that, they will be made very welcome.

“The police are right to say what they have. They have had trouble recently in Jerusalem and the football match is not a place for a demonstration of politics.

“If this is meant to irritate people, it is not suitable for a sporting event and it will be prevented. The police in Israel are strict because they have a lot to contend with including terrorism.”

Celtic did not respond to our request for a comment yesterday.