Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – The world of sports has been deeply affected by the dark events in Gaza over the past week. Numerous prominent figures from the world of sports, especially football, have turned to various social media platforms to express their solidarity with Palestine in the ongoing Palestine-Israel crisis.
Through Instagram stories, posts, and tweets, many celebrities have been utilizing their influential voices to draw attention to the increasingly desperate plight of Palestinians and the need for peace in the region.
Hakim Ziyech
Moroccan international footballer Hakim Ziyech voiced his solidarity with Palestine on Saturday amid the ongoing bombing of Gaza.
The Galatasaray right-winger took to his Instagram account to post stories expressing his support for the Palestinian cause with this well-known slogan: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be Free.”
The player added the slogan under this quote by African-American civil rights leader Malcolm X: “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people being oppressed, and loving those doing the oppressing.”
Noussair Mazzraoui
The Moroccan footballer showed his support for Palestinians by sharing a post featuring the Palestinian flag accompanied by a prayer voice-over that wished them “victory” against decades-long Israeli occupation and the unrelentless Israeli bombardments they have suffered over the past week.
“God help our persecuted brothers in Palestine so that they attain victory,” he wrote. “May God have mercy on the dead, may God heal their wounded.”
Mazraoui’s story has sparked a significant wave of media harassment against him in Germany, with many German news outlets slandering the Moroccan player with articles that likened his support for the freedom of Palestinians to “supporting terrorism and the mass death of innocent people.”
Not content with their barrage of slanted accusations against the Moroccan right-back, those accusing the player of inciting terrorism and anti-Semitism called on Bayern Munich, Mazraoui’s club, to issue an official statement regarding what they presented as the player’s unconscionable pro-Palestine stance.
Bild, the leading German Tabloid, later shared an explanatory statement by the 25-year-old player.
“First of all, I would like to say that it is really disappointing that I have to explain what I stand for,” Bild quoted Mazraoui as saying. “There is a situation out there where thousands of innocent people are murdered. This means that I will always be against all kinds of terrorism, hatred, and violence. And that’s something I’ll always stand behind”
Abdelhamid Sabiri
The Moroccan midfielder posted on his Instagram story a picture of himself wearing the Palestinian flag, with the caption: “Everything we ask for.”
The football star also shared a post that appeared to lament the censoring of pro-Palestine Instagram stories from Moroccan football stars such as himself, Ziyech, Mazzraoui, and Aboukhlal.
“You can’t see the stories when you go to their accounts; they’re trying to silence us. It is literally us against the world.”
Karim Benzema
The former Real Madrid player and Ittihad star Karim Benzema prayed for the families under bombardment in Gaza.
“All our prayers for the inhabitants of Gaza who are once again victims of these unjust bombings which spare no women or children,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Mohamed Elneny
This past week, Egyptian international Mohamed Elneny demonstrated his support for Palestine, sparking controversial reactions in the process. The Arsenal midfielder stirred up a debate by changing his Instagram profile picture to proudly display the Palestinian flag.
Back in 2021, Elneny expressed his solidarity with Palestine through a heartfelt message.
He took to Twitter, posting a message that read, “My heart and my soul stand with you, Palestine,” accompanied by an image of the Palestinian flag and a peace emoji.
Mohammed Salah
Following criticism surrounding the Liverpool winger Mohammed Salah for not publicly addressing the ongoing war in Palestine, he reportedly made a donation to Gaza through the Egyptian Red Crescent.
The news was confirmed by Executive Director Rami al-Nazer, although the value of the donation was kept private to respect the player’s wish.
Mesut Ozil
On Friday morning, Former Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil took to X, formerly Twitter, to show his solidarity with Palestine during this time of hardship. The retired Muslim German footballer asked for an end to the devastating war along with a “Free Palestine” photo.
Ozil previously announced his support for Palestine amid their conflict with Israel back in 2021, wearing a “Free Palestine”t-shirt along with several Fenerbahce teammates when he played in Turkey towards the end of his career.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated to a critical level, marked by the absence of basic necessities such as electricity, water, food, fuel, and essential medical supplies due to the Israeli blockade.
In response to an Israeli advisory to evacuate the northern regions of the strip, many civilians are heading southwards to seek safety.
The origins of the most recent aggressions can be traced back to when the resistance movement Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multifaceted surprise offensive against Israel.
The ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank persist, resulting in a devastating toll on Palestinian lives.
At least 2,860 Palestinians have lost their lives and thousands more have been injured since the Israeli Defense Forces launched a brutal war on the besieged Gaza Strip in response to the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
