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Alex Goldberg, chairman of the Football Association’s Faith in Football group, has resigned from his role in protest.
The FA has opted not to light the Wembley Arch in Israeli colors following attacks by terrorist group Hamas at the weekend.
Instead, there will be a moment of silence before the match and players will also have to wear black armbands.
According to the Jewish News, Goldberg wrote an impassioned letter to FA chief Mark Bullingham outlining his decision.
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He said he was ‘deeply disappointed by the FA’s decision that there will be no special tribute to the victims of the worst atrocity committed against Jewish targets since the Shoah during the upcoming matches against Australia and Italy at Wembley Stadium.’
The Shoah refers to the Holocaust when more than six million Jewish people were murdered by the Nazis.
Goldberg, who had worked with the FA for 16 years, also said it was ‘imperative’ that the association’s responses ‘were clear in support of the victims of such atrocities.’
“Your formula appears to be a form of moral equivocation, which is not appropriate this week,” he said.
“The decision not to light the [Wembley] The Ark has been badly received within the community, where attacks on Jews in England have already tripled.
“Many view this statement – to only allow flags and representations of competing countries – as erasing Jewish symbols and it has heightened complaints given the gravity of recent events – but it is unintentionally anti-Jewish. It also disregards the safety and emotional well-being of fans who may be in attendance.”
Goldberg said he was writing as ‘a rabbi’ and ‘a father of children living in Israel’.
He said the FA’s decision not to mark the killings of Israelis was taken ‘in light of the global solidarity shown in response to the tragic murder of 1,000 civilians in Israel, involving people of all ages and walks of life – including 17 British citizens were also included. Saw Downing Street, the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building lit up in blue and white.’
He revealed he was cutting ties with the FA.
But he also made it clear that he will continue to serve the football family through the Premier League and Football League clubs we currently support at an elite level and as a believer in football at the grassroots level. ‘
Goldberg told the publication that he is leaving with a ‘huge regret in his heart.’
He also vowed to continue his work in relation to ‘creating programs for schools, bringing faith communities into the football family and developing the framework for the County FA to advise leagues and clubs on best practice’.
Rabbi Goldberg responded to the news of players wearing black armbands, saying: “The planned initiative to wear black armbands and observe a moment of silence is respectful.
“However, they cannot fully express the depth of solidarity and support needed for the communities directly and indirectly affected by these brutal acts of violence, nor reassure Jews no longer being attacked in this country. “Can help.”
He has asked the FA to reconsider its stance.
And he was also ‘disappointed’ after not being consulted over the planned ‘downsizing’ of the Chanukah party at Wembley.
latest developments:
Israel was attacked by Hamas terrorists over the weekend
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A copy of his letter has reportedly been sent to Sports and Culture Secretary Lucy Fraser.
England and Australia are meeting for the first time since 2016.
That year, goals from Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney gave the Three Lions a 2–1 victory.
