In light of the club’s inadequate response to the most recent Hamas attacks in Israel, the chairman of Tottenham’s Tribute Trust has resigned.
Following the terrorist group’s strike last Saturday, more than 1,300 people died. Since then, Israel has reacted with airstrikes that have killed over 1,400 civilians in Gaza.
The FA came under fire earlier in the week for being mute about the attacks, and more criticism followed when it was revealed that the Wembley arch would not be lit up in Israel’s blue and white before England’s game against Australia on Friday night.
Tottenham joined the FA in issuing a statement in response to the attacks on Thursday. It read: “The Club and our footballing family is shocked and saddened by the escalating crisis in Israel and Gaza, and strongly condemns the horrific and brutal acts of violence against innocent civilians. Our heartfelt sympathies are with the victims, their families and the communities impacted.”
But the statement has been heavily criticised by Jonathan Adelman, the chair of the charity, which was set up to look after former players for over a decade. And he confirmed via an open letter addressed to Tottenham director Donna Cullen but also sent to chairman Daniel Levy that he would be tendering his resignation due to the “lack of moral clarity” shown by a club with a deep connection to the Jewish community.
His letter said: “I simply don’t understand what if any moral compass those who drafted and signed off the club’s statement have given the savage butchery of Jews by Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation.
“I expected nothing better from the FA, but I did from our club, not just because we have an Israeli player, not just because of the club’s deep connection with the Jewish community, but also given the commendable stance the club took on taking the knee, standing with Ukraine and so on.”
It has been an incredible honor to assist our former players in their time of need, first as a founding trustee and later as chair of the Tottenham Tribute Trust, said Adelman in reference to his own contribution.
