FA and Tottenham upset two Jewish football leaders with their statements
KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: The responses of the Football Association and Tottenham Hotspur to the conflagration in the Middle East have prompted resignations of two prominent members of the game’s Jewish community.
An FA statement about arrangements for England’s friendly against Australia said: “On Friday evening, we will remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine.
“Our thoughts are with them, and their families and friends in England and Australia and with all the communities who are affected by this ongoing conflict. We stand for humanity and an end to the death, violence, fear and suffering.
“England and Australia players will wear black armbands during their match at Wembley Stadium and there will also be a period of silence held before kick off.
“Following discussions with partners and external stakeholders, we will only permit flags, replica kits and other representations of nationality for the competing nations inside Wembley Stadium for the upcoming matches against Australia [13 Oct] and Italy [17 Oct].
“The British Red Cross have also launched an emergency appeal to support the people affected by the humanitarian crisis in the region, and we will promote this appeal within the stadium on Friday.”
This did not satisfy Rabbi Alex Goldberg who quit his role as chair of the FA’s Faith in Football group and Jonathan Adelman who stepped down as the chair of Tottenham’s Tribute Trust.
Rabbi Goldberg expressed “profound disappointment in the FA’s decision not to have a specific tribute during the upcoming matches against Australia and Italy at Wembley Stadium.” In a letter to FA chief executive Mark Bullingham he said the “decision to not light up the arch has been received badly tonight within the community”.
He added: “Please consider aligning more closely with the global solidarity movement, and recognise the need for a nuanced, empathetic response that acknowledges the complexities of this conflict and unequivocally condemns the indefensible acts of violence and terror against civilians.”
Tottenham had said: “The club and our footballing family 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. Our heartfelt sympathies are with the victims, their families and the communities.”
This did not satisfy Adelman who tendered his resignation in an open letter criticising the club’s statement in the wake of the Hamas attack in Israel.
He said: “I simply don’t understand what if any moral compass those who drafted and signed off the club’s statement have given the savage butchery of Jews by Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation.
“I expected nothing better from the FA, but I did from our club, not just because we have an Israeli player, not just because of the club’s deep connection with the Jewish community, but also given the commendable stance the club took on taking the knee, standing with Ukraine and so on.”
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