The Wembley Stadium arch in North-West London is an impressive sight, especially when illuminated by numerous LED bulbs, creating a colorful display that dominates the skyline for miles around. This structure, standing at 133 meters in height, is clearly visible from the suburbs that house London’s Jewish community, such as Barnet, Finchley, Hendon, and Golders Green. From the top of the Brent Cross flyover, the stadium arch resembles an alien spacecraft stationed alongside the North Circular Road. Over the years, the arch has been lit up in various colors to show support for different causes, including LGBTQWERTY+ campaigns, the NHS, the late Captain Sir Tom Moore, and the people of Ukraine.
The Football Association (FA) is known for its penchant for ostentatious displays of virtue signaling. So when the government requested the football authorities to project the colors of the Israeli flag on the arch for the friendly match between England and Australia, it should have been a straightforward request. The government wants UK sports bodies to show their respect for the victims of recent violence in Israel, where sustained airstrikes have resulted in approximately 900 deaths in Gaza. The Israeli flag was already projected on 10 Downing Street in London on Sunday evening.
Such a gesture would have provided reassurance to Britain’s Jewish population, who have faced a surge in anti-Semitic hatred following the atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel. However, the arch will remain neutral or even dark this evening, as the FA fears a potential backlash. The exact nature of this backlash is unspecified. Is the FA afraid that pro-Palestinian demonstrators will disrupt the match at Wembley?
In the past, the FA has never hesitated to take sides, often using rainbow colors to promote LGBTQ+ rights, despite controversies regarding issues like biological males using female facilities. Additionally, players in England started “taking the knee” in Support of the Black Lives Matter movement after George Floyd’s murder. However, with the recent sharing of posts by BLM UK and BLM Chicago featuring Hamas activities against Israel, it begs the question whether the FA will continue this gesture.
Each time footballers perform these symbolic gestures, commentators emphasize the importance of opposing racism in all its forms. So, how does the FA reconcile its refusal to show solidarity with Israelis, who have endured heinous acts of terrorism driven by a virulently racist organization aimed at wiping out the Jewish population? This decision sends a concerning message to loyal Jewish supporters of clubs like Tottenham, Arsenal, and Leeds, with Arsenal’s Jewish Gooners supporters’ group feeling abandoned by the game.
Since the start of the recent Hamas attacks, British Jews have experienced a significant rise in anti-Semitic incidents, with quadruple the amount reported in just three days following the attacks. Schools and synagogues have increased security measures due to pro-Hamas demonstrators “celebrating” in the streets. Even the House of Commons in Westminster and other buildings projected images in support. The death toll reached over 1,200 people over the weekend as Hamas militants wreaked havoc on towns near the Gaza Strip border.
Nicole Lampert’s personal account in the Mail revealed the fear currently felt within Jewish communities. Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited a synagogue in Finchley to reassure the Jewish population that Britain stands with them and Israel. Is it too much to ask for the FA to do the same? If professional football resisted involving itself in identity politics and international affairs, it would be understandable for them to remain neutral. However, the FA and the Premier League often jump on various bandwagons.
The FA should explain the difference between expressing solidarity with Ukraine after the Russian invasion and showing support for Israel, which has also experienced murderous war crimes committed by Hamas. Additionally, they should clarify the exact nature of the reported fears of a backlash. Who or what would this backlash come from? Is there intelligence suggesting that displaying support for Israel would provoke a terror attack similar to the one at the Manchester Arena?
The reality is that football is increasingly influenced by Middle Eastern sports-washing money. FIFA, the governing body of football affiliated with the FA, has strong ties to Arab wealth, evident in the decision to award the World Cup to Qatar. Qatar, known for offering sanctuary to Islamist terrorists, is currently attempting to enter the Premier League and has made bids for clubs like Manchester United and Tottenham. English football claims to champion human rights, but when Middle Eastern money is involved, principles seem to vanish.
Qatar’s dismal record of persecuting homosexuals, treating women as second-class citizens, and condoning modern slavery should have raised concerns, not to mention their reliance on fossil fuels when football strives for Net Zero achievements. Yet, FIFA chose to ignore these issues. Moreover, the FA’s attempt to show support for LGBTQ+ rights during the World Cup was dropped after FIFA warned of penalties, including yellow cards, for such displays in a country where homosexuality is a capital offense. This shows how solidarity with human rights causes can be compromised for financial gain.
Notably, outspoken personalities like Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have remained silent on the Hamas atrocities in Israel. This could be related to the fact that Newcastle’s majority shareholder is Saudi Arabia, another wealthy Arab state supporting the Palestinian cause, as does Abu Dhabi, which owns Manchester City. As Hamas apologists prepare to demonstrate and British Jews face anti-Palestinian graffiti, a show of support from Wembley would have served as a token gesture to reassure them that they are not alone. Lord Mann, a strong supporter of Israel, stated that lighting up the arch would be empowering. However, the FA has, unsurprisingly, chosen to back down.
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