Muslim and Arab footballers express support for Palestinians

Arab and Muslim footballers have been expressing support for Palestinians in recent days, including on social media, amid clashes between Israeli security forces and protesters in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem.

“The world needs peace and love. It will soon be Eid, let us all love one another #PrayForPalestine,” Manchester United’s Paul Pogba wrote on a photo on Instagram, referring to the Eid al-Fitr holiday this week marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Some former and current athletes have posted messages of solidarity with Palestinians in east Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, where looming evictions of Palestinian families have fuelled angry demonstrations.

Algerian striker Riyad Mahrez, who plays for Manchester City, tweeted a picture of the Palestinian flag with the hashtag #SaveSheikhJarrah. The post has been retweeted more than 50,000 times.

Moroccan Achraf Hakimi, who is with Italy’s Inter Milan, tweeted a video of a woman apparently arrested by Israel security forces appearing to argue with officers about the issue.

Mali and Tottenham forward Frederic Kanoute wrote on Twitter, “Apartheid continues and Palestinians are being expelled from their homes while most ‘leaders’ are complicit with their silence at best and their direct support at worst.”

Egyptian Ahmed Hassan “Kouka”, currently playing for Greek side Olympiakos, also posted a message of support for Palestinians.

Other sympathisers from sporting ranks have included Russian mixed martial arts champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, French footballer Franck Ribery, German footballer Shkodran Mustafi, and Egyptian former football star Mohamed Aboutrika, currently a commentator with beIN sports channel in Qatar.

Meanwhile, calls grew on Wednesday for a de-escalation of violence after intense hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians that have left at least 48 dead and hundreds injured.

The Israeli army has launched hundreds of air strikes on the Gaza Strip since Monday, while Palestinians have launched more than 1,000 rockets in some of the worst violence in seven years.

Calls for calm emerged from around the world.

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday urged Israel and the Palestinians to halt fighting in a call with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said the world needs to give Israel a “strong” lesson.

Agencies