The British Government Encourages UK Sports Bodies to Mark Events in Israel Appropriately
Key Highlights :
The recent attacks by Hamas militants on the country’s territory last weekend have caused the British Government to write to UK sports bodies encouraging them to mark events in Israel appropriately. The Football Association (FA) has been criticised for their “extremely disappointing” and “mind-blowing” decision not to light up the Wembley arch in the colours of the Israeli flag before Friday’s friendly between England and Australia.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer criticised the FA’s decision and expressed her disappointment on social media, saying, “It is especially disappointing in light of the FA’s bold stance on other terrorist attacks in the recent past. Words and actions matter. The Government is clear: we stand with Israel.” The Board of Deputies of British Jews also criticised the FA statement for not making “any mention of the mass terrorist murders of hundreds of innocent Israelis last Saturday”.
England manager Southgate accepted it was “one of the most complex situations in the world” when asked for his thoughts on the FA’s stance at Thursday’s pre-match press conference. Southgate said, “What I do know is people at the FA will have consulted with everybody they possibly can and will have tried to make the best decision with good intentions.”
The FA announced players would wear black armbands and that a period of silence would be observed to remember the victims of the conflict. The FA also confirmed flags, replica kits and other representations of nationality beyond those related to England or Australia would not be allowed inside Wembley.
Teams in the EFL and Premier League will pay tribute to the victims of the conflict in their next rounds of matches. There will also be a period of silence ahead of kick-off at the weekend’s matches in the Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship and Women’s National League to “remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine”. The England and Wales Cricket Board released a statement on Thursday which read, “We deplore the appalling loss of innocent life following recent events in Israel and Palestine. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all the innocent victims, and those who are still missing, as well as the communities who are affected.”
England cricketer Moeen Ali has deleted an Instagram post featuring the Palestinian flag and a quote from Malcolm X. Moeen then put up a new post, without the flag but containing the same Malcolm X quote: “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”
The International Olympic Committee said its executive board members had “expressed their very strong feelings over these tragic events in the recent days” at the start of Thursday’s meeting in Mumbai and “express their deepest sympathy with the innocent victims of this terrible violence”.
The British Government’s encouragement for UK sports bodies to appropriately mark events in Israel is an important step in showing solidarity with the victims of the conflict and supporting efforts for a peaceful resolution. It is also a reminder of the importance of respecting the rights of all people, regardless of their nationality or religion, and of standing together against violence and terrorism.
