ISTANBUL, May 11 — Several football players expressed solidarity Monday with Palestinians after Israeli forces stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque, according to Anadolu Agency (AA).
Manchester United’s French star Paul Pogba showed support for the Palestinian people in a post on social media.
“The world needs peace and love. It will soon be Eid. Let us all love one another. #PRAYFORPALESTINE,” Pogba said on Instagram.
In a Twitter post, Fenerbahce’s Mame Thiam quoted Surah Fatir verse 5 from the Quran saying; “O humanity! Indeed, Allah’s promise is true. So do not let the life of this world deceive you, nor let the Chief Deceiver deceive you about Allah.”
Above the photo, Thiam wrote: “My heart with you Masjid Al-Aqsa.”
Also, Inter Milan’s Achraf Hakimi, Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, Schalke 04’s Shkodran Mustafi, Fiorentina’s Franck Ribery and Porto’s Moussa Marega tweeted messages of solidarity with the Palestinians.
Hakimi wrote “#FreePalestine” in a Twitter post while Riyad Mahrez tweeted “#Palestine #SaveSheikhJarrah.”
According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, at least 305 people were injured Monday when Israeli police stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and attacked Palestinians who were on guard to prevent possible raids by extremist Jews.
Tensions have been running high in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem since last week when Israeli settlers swarmed in after an Israeli court ordered the eviction of Palestinian families.
Palestinians protesting in solidarity with the residents of Sheikh Jarrah have been targetted by Israeli forces.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and annexed the entire city in 1980 – a move that has never been recognised by the international community.
— Bernama
