Rabbi who runs FA’s Faith in Football group RESIGNS over their refusal to light up the Wembley arch in Israel’s colours and says black armbands and a minute’s silence are not enough

The Rabbi who is the chair of the FA’s Faith in Football group has resigned over the governing body’s refusal to light up the Wembley arch in Israel’s colours.

It comes after the FA announced the famous arch at England’s home stadium would not be lit up for the Three Lions’ clash with Australia this evening, despite the ongoing Israel-Hamas war that has seen more than 1,200 people killed in Israel after a series of attacks launched by the Palestinian militant group.

Instead, they called for fans to hold a minute’s silence to ‘remember the innocent victims’ on both sides of the conflict and banned Israeli and Palestinian flags from the match. Players will also wear black armbands. 

Rabbi Alex Goldberg has said the planned measures are not enough, especially given the arch was lit up to mark the invasion of Ukraine, terror attacks in France, Pele’s death and various causes célèbres.

In an letter to the FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, Goldberg said: ‘(I am) profoundly disappointed in the FA’s decision not to have a specific tribute during the upcoming matches against Australia and Italy at Wembley Stadium, to the victims of the worst single atrocity committed against Jewish targets since the Shoah.’ 

The Rabbi who is the chair of the FA’s Faith in Football group has resigned over the governing body’s refusal to light up the Wembley arch in Israel’s colours

Alex Goldberg told FA CEO that he was ‘profoundly disappointed’ in their decision

Goldberg – who has worked with the FA for 16 years – also told the FA that their Faith in Football group will no longer continue to work with the governing body. 

He added: ‘It’s imperative that our responses and actions, especially in international platforms like those at Wembley Stadium, are unequivocal in their support for the victims of such atrocities.

‘Your formula looks like a form of moral equivalence, which is just not appropriate this week. The decision not to light up the (Wembley) arch has been received badly tonight within the community, where attacks on Jews in England have already gone up three-fold. 

‘Many see the statement —only to permit flags and representations of the competing nations — as eradicating Jewish symbols and it has compounded grievances with the gravity of the recent events — but also inadvertently neglects the security and emotional well-being of Jewish fans who may be in attendance.

‘Planned gestures of wearing black armbands and observing a moment of silence are respectful; however, they may not fully convey the depth of solidarity and support necessary for the communities affected, both directly and indirectly, by these atrocious acts of violence, nor help give reassurance to Jews being attacked in this country now.’

The rabbi went onto say how he was writing ‘as a rabbi, as a father of children living in Israel’ and said he ‘strongly urged a reassessment of the FA’s stance on this matter.’

Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer joined Goldberg in condemning the FA as she said: ‘I am extremely disappointed by the FA’s decision not to light up the Wembley Stadium arch following last weekend’s horrific terrorist attacks in Israel, and have made my views clear to the FA.

‘It is especially disappointing in light of the FA’s bold stance on other terrorist attacks in the recent past.

‘Words and actions matter. The Government is clear: We stand with Israel.’

Tory party chairman Lee Anderson added: ‘The cowards at the FA need to man up and light up Wembley in support of Israel. Failure to do so will leave a dark stain on our beautiful game.’

The Chelsea Jewish Supporters Group also said: ‘This spineless response is why we need people to speak out against terrorism.’ 

It is understood senior FA officials are wary of a perception that they might be taking sides in the Middle East conflict. 

The move stands in stark contrast with the Royal Family – the King and the Prince and Princess of Wales unequivocally condemned the terrorist atrocity on Thursday. 

In a statement, the FA 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 and with all the communities who are affected by this ongoing conflict.

‘England and Australia players will wear black armbands … and there will also be a period of silence held before kick-off.’

MORE TO FOLLOW

Source: Read Full Article