Mesut Ozil, the former Arsenal star known for his vocal support of Palestine, stirred up controversy with a recent social media post that reportedly denied the existence of Israel.
This comes after Ozil had previously called for peace in Gaza, using platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to advocate for Palestinian rights under the hashtag ‘Free Palestine’.
The 35-year-old’s actions didn’t go unnoticed in Germany, where Christian Democratic Union politician Julia Klockner demanded Ozil return his 2010 Silver Laurel Leaf award.
This demand was in response to Ozil allegedly posting an image on Instagram showing a map of Israel crossed out with the word ‘Palestine’ highlighted, prompting accusations of inciting against Israel.
Alon Meyer, president of Maccabi Germany, condemned Ozil’s post as ‘anti-Israeli’ and urged the German football federation to publicly distance itself from him.
Meyer’s statement underscored the sensitivity of Ozil’s remarks within the Jewish community and the broader implications in sports diplomacy.
Background and Controversies
Ozil, who retired from professional football in 2023, has a history of making controversial statements and actions, including his 2018 photo with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan that led to criticism in Germany.
His advocacy for Palestine and other actions, such as displaying a tattoo linked to Turkish nationalism, have also sparked heated debates about his political stance and integration in German society.
The fallout from Ozil’s social media activities continues to reverberate, highlighting the intersection of sports, politics, and identity in the modern world.
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