17 October 2023 , 16:00
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Former Manchester United striker Eric Cantona has expressed his solidarity with Palestine amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The Palestinian health ministry says 3,000 people have been killed and 12,500 injured in the Gaza Strip since fighting broke out on October 7. Around 1,300 Israelis have been killed by Hamas following the attack which sparked the violence 10 days ago.
At least 600,000 people have fled the northern Gaza Strip for the south ahead of an expected ground invasion by the Israeli military. Charities have warned of a humanitarian disaster inside Gaza, where supplies of food, water, fuel and electricity are running out amid the blockade by Israel.
The conflict has shocked the world and Cantona has reshared a post by activist Najwa Zebian, urging understanding while explaining the difference between wanting freedom for Palestine and condoning the actions of Hamas – an organisation that the UK government considers to be terrorists.
Cantona posted on Instagram to his 1.2 million followers: “Defending the human rights of Palestinians does not mean you are pro-Hamas. Saying ‘Free Palestine’ does not mean you are anti- Semitic or ‘want all the Jews gone.’ ‘Free Palestine’ means free Palestinians from the Israeli occupation that's been robbing them their basic human rights for 75 years.
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“‘Free Palestine’ means stop caging 2.3 million Palestinians in the world's largest open air prison, half of whom are children. ‘Free Palestine’ means end the apartheid imposed by the Israeli government. ‘Free Palestine’ means give the Palestinians control over the basic infrastructure in their land.”
A minute's silence for all innocent victims of the war in the Middle East was held at Wembley before England’s friendly against Australia, who also wore black armbands, last week. But the Football Association decided not to light Wembley’s arch in the colours of the Israel flag.
Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza (Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu via Getty Images)The FA said in a statement: "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.”
The move came after the Department for Culture, Media and Sport sent a letter which read: "In the light of the attacks in Israel on behalf of the secretary of state we would encourage you to mark the events appropriately in line with previous events where sport has come together.”