2023-10-17 11:36:15
In the early hours of last Saturday, while a music festival was being held in Israel in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip, the terrorist group Hamas managed to evade the Israeli defense and entered its territory by land, sea and air in what It was an unprecedented attack. The terrorists murdered most of those present at the festival and advanced to several kibbutzim (communes); The balance is more than 1,200 murdered, more than one hundred hostages and also a high number of rapes.
Israel’s response has been as rigorous as could be expected. After declaring its intention to definitively put an end to Hamas, the Israeli State has not ceased its bombings of Gaza. Israel has advised civilians to leave the city and some have done so, fleeing from northern to southern Gaza. Even so, the bombings have left an approximate number of 1,600 deaths so far.
Before these acts of violence, the world has turned its gaze towards the Middle East in what is a conflict that generates as much tragedy as division. Entities from all over the West have taken a position on this conflict, the vast majority limiting themselves to ensuring peace, while many others have shown their support for Hamas, Palestine or Israel.
In English football and its structure, the Israel-Hamas conflict has not gone unnoticed. In fact, it is a situation that deeply impacts entities such as the Premier League, since in the league there are many footballers who have publicly shown their support for Palestine in the past; not so many to Israel.
The communications of the Premier League and the EFL
In their official positions, the governing bodies of English football have preferred not to take sides regarding the tragic events. They regretted the violent events and shared their hope that a peaceful solution would be achieved that would end the deaths in Israel and Palestine.
Furthermore, both institutions will donate to the British Red Cross to help civilians who are being victims of attacks.
“The Premier League is shocked and saddened by the escalating crisis in Israel and Gaza, and strongly condemns the horrific and brutal acts of violence against innocent civilians. We hope for peace and our deepest condolences are with the victims, their families and the affected communities,” she said. Premier League.
For its part, the EFL published: “Following the shocking and devastating events in Israel and Palestine, our collective thoughts are with all the innocent people who have lost their lives, as well as their families, friends and all those in the communities affected by the escalation of the conflict”.
The FA, branded as “cowardly”
The England team played yesterday against Australia at Wembley and last Thursday the Football Association decided that they were not going to illuminate the stadium with the Israeli flag, a gesture they have made in the past in support of countries like Ukraine for the Russian invasion; Flags of Israel or other countries were not going to be allowed to be displayed either. and agreed to increase security in the stands for this match. Instead, a minute of silence was observed before the match and the players wore black armbands in honor of the victims of the conflict.
Fan displays Israeli flag despite bans – Shaun Brooks/Action Plus/REX/Shutterstock
This decision by the FA was harshly criticized by the Board of Deputies of British Jewsthe largest Jewish community organization in the United Kingdom. “When hundreds of innocent Israelis were murdered, raped and kidnapped in a coordinated terrorist campaign, unparalleled since 9/11, the FA’s response is to ‘remember the victims of the conflicts in Israel and Palestine’ and the arcs of “Wembley will not be lit in blue and white,” they said.
The Secretary of Culture, Lucy Frazeralso showed his displeasure at the FA’s neutral stance: “Words and actions matter. The government is clear: we support Israel”. Lord John Mann -government advisor-, David Bernstein -former president of the FA-, Steve Barclay -Secretary of Health- and many more important figures within the British scene.
This also resulted in Rabbi Alex Goldberg, president of the FA’s Faith in Football network, resigning from his position at the federation after feeling “deeply disappointed” with the position taken.
Internal conflicts at Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur is one of the clubs in the Premier League with a larger Jewish population. Therefore, his passive condemnation of Hamas attacks has generated great displeasure among his followers and has already caused changes in the club’s structure with the resignation of the president of the foundation.
Jonathan Adelman chaired the Tribute Trust, a charity created to serve the needs of former players, for a decade. These events have led him to leave the club for “a chronic lack of moral clarity”Adelman said in a letter addressed to Tottenham CEO Donna Cullen and also published on social media. Adelman added that he “can no longer relate” with club officials after did not make any mention of the Hamas attacks in its official statement; The statement also makes no mention of Manor Solomonan Israeli player for the club, although journalist Matt Law reports that they are supporting him privately.
“When it’s against Jews and Israelis, football doesn’t say anything,” says Ayal Young – Ayal Young
On the other hand, the Spurs are indirectly linked to the conflict due to Ayal Young, an Israeli fan of the club that, in the face of Hamas attacks, he hid his wife and children in the shelter and went out to confront the terrorists; He suffered gunshot wounds to the shoulder, lung and a graze on the cheek, but is stable in the hospital.
“I told my wife to stay inside, lock the doors and not open them. I have a gun to defend myself and I took it with my vest and ammunition and went out. I went out to protect the kibbutz,” Young said in an interview for The Telegraph. It should be noted that Young was in the Israeli army for seven years and is a company commander in the army reserve.
Young was also angry at the position of the institutions that govern English football: “[…] They always say there is no place for racism, but saying nothing is racism. When it comes to atrocities against Jews and Israelis, they say nothing“.
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