Besiktas winger Ghezzal voices support for Palestine

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

Besiktas winger Rachid Ghezzal voiced his support for Palestine on Tuesday.

The Algerian player reposted French legend Eric Cantona's message posted on Instagram Tuesday, which carries a message of support for Palestine.

"Defending the human rights of Palestinians does not mean you are pro-Hamas," the Instagram post read, and added, "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.

"'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."

The 31-year-old, who is among many sports figures showing their support for Palestine, joined Besiktas from English club Leicester City in 2021.

The conflict began on Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,470 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.