Wembley fell silent ahead of England’s friendly against Australia in memory of those killed in the continuing conflict between Israel and Hamas because the Football Association faced fresh criticism for not lighting up the stadium’s arch of their honour.
The FA announced plans on Thursday for players to wear black armbands and for those contained in the stadium to look at a period of silence “to recollect the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine”.
But they stopped short from lighting the Wembley arch in the colors of the Israeli flag, a gesture they opted to employ ahead of the Ukraine match earlier this yr as blue and yellow adorned the stadium’s signature landmark.
Jordan Henderson and Mat Ryan, the respective England and Australia captains on the night, led the 2 sets of players to the centre-circle as everyone contained in the stadium observed an impeccable period of silence as the massive screens carried a sombre message.
“Tonight we remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine,” it read.
“Our thoughts are with them, and their families and friends in England and Australia and with all of the communities who’re affected by this ongoing conflict.
“Tonight we stand for humanity and an end to the death, violence, fear and suffering.”
Hamas’ assault on Saturday and smaller attacks since have killed greater than 1,300 people in Israel, including 247 soldiers — a toll unseen in Israel for many years — and the following Israeli bombardment has killed greater than 1,530 people in Gaza, in line with authorities on each side.
On Thursday, the Cabinet minister answerable for sport, Lucy Frazer, criticised the FA in a social media post, calling the choice “extremely disappointing”.
Then, just hours before kick-off at Wembley, Israel Football Association president Moshe Zuares hit out at what he deemed a scarcity of support for the country.
“There are moments in history when truth is one, sharp and clear. Such is the current time. More than 1,200 children, babies, women, men and old people were slaughtered by a barbaric enemy, who committed crimes against humanity,” he said in a press release released on social media.
“The only sin of the victims was that they were Israelis. Those who’re afraid to light up a stadium in memory of the murdered and for the sake of historical truth, for reasons that can not be understood in any respect and maybe it is best to not even try, are in a fair darker time than the one in my country is currently in.
“When this happens by the FA of a nation that has at all times known the right way to be an ethical lighthouse for the free world, it’s more disappointing than ever. I attempted to clarify this to my colleagues within the English FA several times up to now few days but they insisted on not understand (sic). Now they’re those who need to clarify.”
A rabbi working on a Football Association faith group has resigned over the governing body’s response to the Hamas attacks on Israeli residents last weekend.
Our decision not to permit Israeli or Palestine flags into Wembley Stadium was made on the direct request of senior members of the Jewish community
The FA
Alex Goldberg wrote to the FA to say he was “profoundly disillusioned” that there have been no plans for a selected tribute to the victims of those attacks.
He said the choice to not light up the Wembley arch in the colors of the Israeli flag ahead of the friendly between England and Australia on Friday night had been “received badly” and in addition questioned the choice not to allow the flags of any nation to be brought into Wembley besides those of England and Australia.
“Many see the statement only to allow flags and representations of the competing nations as eradicating Jewish symbols and it has compounded grievances with the gravity of the recent events, but additionally inadvertently neglects the safety and emotional well-being of Jewish fans who could also be in attendance,” he wrote in a letter published by the Jewish News.
The FA responded to Rabbi Goldberg’s letter by saying: “We are sorry to listen to of Rabbi Alex’s decision to resign from his role in our Faith in Football group.
“Although that is an off-the-cuff group that just isn’t a part of the FA’s governance structure, we’re grateful for the support he has provided over time.
“It can be vital to make clear that our decision not to permit Israeli or Palestine flags into Wembley Stadium was made on the direct request of senior members of the Jewish community.”
