Out of everything we would have written in this transfer window, a story about Celtic insulting Palestine is certainly not one we predicted.
Celtic fans’ support for Palestine is world renowned. The Hoops fans have never been shy in calling out the likes of UEFA and others over their hypocrisy about Israel’s genocide in the region.
However what Celtic supporters would never have put money on is their own club being implicated for allegedly supporting Israel’s campaign in the region.
But that is exactly what has happened as Scottish Sport for Palestine posted an article and a thread on social media regarding Celtic’s chase for Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi.
Buying Jocelin Ta Bi has led to ‘Celtic’s links to Zionism’
This is quite the accusation from the social media account so we’ll let them explain it.
Scottish Sport for Palestine posted an incredible thread on X, “Rumours that Celtic has bid £2M for Maccabi Netanya’s Jocelin Ta Bi should rightfully infuriate fans.
“This is an insult to Palestinians, to the ethos of the club, and to the Celtic fans who practice and follow BDS [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions] as a matter of principle in their day-to-day.
“In September 2025, we reported with Tracking Power that Celtic’s board had been meeting with key Zionist figures, including from the Jewish National Fund, since at least the 1950s. Some of these Zionist families remain involved at the club today.
“In Oct 2025, we revealed with Tracking Power how Celtic’s links to Zionism remained intact with the club takeover in 1994.
“The same will happen again if Zionism is not explicitly addressed and ripped out of the club, where it continues to fester.
“We presented the findings of our research at the 2025 Play the Game conference in Finland in front of leading journalists in sport and NGOs including Amnesty International.
Many attendees both publicly and privately expressed horror over the Zionist infiltration at Celtic. Our reports into Zionism at Celtic drew an immediate response from the board – reaching out to fans within hours.
“Its Foundation – which we also exposed – donated £200,000 – half of which went to Gaza. But neither has apologised for supporting ethnic cleansing in Palestine.”
Michael Nicholson told about ‘Celtic’s involvement with the Jewish National Fund’
The accusations don’t stop there. The social media account goes on to explain that they contacted Michael Nicholson about Celtic’s links to an ‘agency of ethnic cleansing’ called the Jewish National Fund.
The thread continued, “Michael Nicholson has a policy of non-engagement on Palestine, but met routinely with audit/fundraiser Charles Barnett at Celtic – who has been Treasurer of the Jewish National Fund SCO for 45+ years.
“The JNF has been described as “an agency of ethnic cleansing” in Palestine. Last month, we contacted Michael Nicholson and told him that Celtic’s involvement with the JNF – at odds with its fans – could link the club to war crimes. We did not receive a reply.
“No other Scottish club has signed more Israeli-linked players than Celtic. Its fans must demand the club take full accountability and responsibility for supporting ethnic cleansing in Palestine and the Zionist entity. If this persists, they must boycott their club.”
1/ Rumours that Celtic @CelticFC has bid £2M for Maccabi Netanya's Jocelin Ta Bi should rightfully infuriate fans.
— Scottish Sport for Palestine (@ScotSport4Pal) January 5, 2026
This is an insult to Palestinians, to the ethos of the club, and to the Celtic fans who practice and follow BDS as a matter of principle in their day-to-day. pic.twitter.com/CeY2FPHuvY
These are incredibly serious allegations leveled by a third-party group, and it is important to state that Born Celtic does not verify, support, or endorse these specific claims and we hope the club takes action against them.
While the club’s scouting of the Israeli market continues to be a point of contention for some, the leap toward the accusations made in this thread represents a significant escalation.
Given the gravity of the language used, it is likely that the Celtic legal team will be monitoring these developments closely. As for the transfer itself, the pursuit of Jocelin Ta Bi appears to be a footballing decision aimed at strengthening the squad, irrespective of the external political noise currently surrounding the CEO’s office.
Let other Celtic fans know your thoughts on this all things to do with the Bhoys!