Amid Current Attacks: Athletes Who Have Dedicated Their Victories To Palestine
If policy makers and pro-Genocide have failed Gaza, the people around the world are not hesitating to show their solidarity with Palestine. They go on protests, write statements, boycott, and strike to let know the Palestinians under blockade on Gaza that they see injustice, and are not okay with it. Below are highlights from moments of solidarity with Palestine in sports, between dedicating victory to Gaza, or refusing to celebrate at all.
Turkish Kung Fu Champion Celebrates In ‘Owners of the Land’ Dance
Yesterday 17 Decemebr, during a European Kung Fu championship awards held in Istanbul, the Turkish Kung-fu champion Necmettin Akyüz dedicated his celebration to Palestine and raised the Palestinian flag. Having earned for himself the first rank, Akyüz pulled the palestinian flag that he hid under his shirt and waved it while clapping his hands. The two other winners immediately withdrew, leaving Akyüz alone, who then did the famous ‘owners of the land’ dance that mimics that of Native Americans. The dance itself is a powerful sign of Palestinian emancipation over the years.
Al Ahly Dedicates Win Over Ittihad At FIFA World Cup Semi Finals to Palestine
At FIFA Club World Cup semi-finals this week, Al Ahly club players and the thousands of fans have dedicated their celebration to Palestine. Videos after the game ended shows the footballers dancing while waving the Palestinian flag, and in other videos they are chanting “Blood and Soul, For Palestine we sacrifice it all”.
Tunisian Ons Jabeur Mourns Palestine & Donates Prize Money
The World tennis champion Ons Jabeur went emotional and refused to celebrate her victory over Czech counterpart Marketa Vondrousova in WTA finals. In a video that went viral she said “Sorry, I cannot be happy with this win. The situation in Palestine does not make me happy. It is very difficult to see children and babies dying every day. It is heartbreaking,” She said that part of her prize money to help the Palestinians.
Egyptian Swimmer Abdelrahmabn Elaraby Didn’t Celebrate Amid Death Threats
The Egyptian swimmer Abdelrahman Elaraby who won against other swimmers in a 50 meter butterfly marathon. Yet, he found it difficult to celebrate his victory since he has been receiving many death threats after showing support for Palestine.
UFC champion Islam Makhachev Refueses To celebrate In Solidarity With Palestine
The Ultimate Fighting light weight Champion Islam Makhachev also refused to celebrtae his victory over in solidarity with the Palestinian people.“I am not celebrating the victory today because of the crazy things that are happening around the world. Palestine, we stand with you,” he said in a post-fight interview.
Egyptian Footballer Mohamed Koka
last November, the news of grandfather grieving the loss of his granddaughter to an Israeli missile has saddened many people, including the Egyptian footballer Mohamed Hassan Koka, Pendikspor’s forward. After scoring a goal in match he celebrated by showing off a t-shirt that has the picture of the grandfather and the grandchild printed that says “soul and spirit”
Nasrat Haqparast: ‘I dedicate this victory to Palestine’!
The German-Afghan born athlete Nasrat Haqparast scored a victory against Jamie Mullarkey in the opening round of UFC. He usually dedicates his victory to his motherland Afghanistan, but this time he dedicated it to Palestine, and posted this on his Instagram account.
WE SAID THIS: Don’t Miss…After Win Over Al Ittihad, Ahly Club Celebrate By Chanting For A Free Palestine
