Hakim Ziyech, one of the pillars of the Atlas Lions and player for Turkish club Galatasaray, recently found himself at the heart of a controversy after expressing his outrage over the tragic events unfolding in Gaza. On September 21, 2024, in a quickly deleted Instagram story, Ziyech denounced Israeli crimes, saying: “F*ck Israel and all other countries that support this kind of behavior. Free Palestine.” This message, accompanied by a video showing Israeli soldiers mistreating Palestinians, provoked varied reactions, ranging from fervent support to virulent criticism.
Hakim Ziyech is not one of those who hesitates to express his opinions. He has always been vocal on socio-political issues and has never been afraid to speak his mind, whether on or off the field. He repeatedly pointed the finger at Israel, calling it a “murderous state,” and expressed support for Palestine. His latest post only reaffirms his commitment to a subject that is close to his heart.
Freedom of expression
Ziyech is not an isolated case; he is one of the personalities who have spoken publicly about the genocide in Palestine, following the war led by Israel and which has lasted for several months, causing the death of thousands of Palestinians. In his statements, he also criticized the Moroccan government, saying: “My message is also for the government of our own country, which supports the genocide. Shame on you.” This audacity earned him considerable attention.
What is crucial here is that Ziyech, as a Moroccan and a renowned footballer, has the right to speak out on the situation in Gaza, as do the thousands of Moroccans demonstrating across the country to defend this cause. . His message reflects the voice of a generation that refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice. Athletes’ freedom of expression, particularly when they take a stand on political issues, is a recurring subject of debate. However, it is imperative to recognize that Ziyech is only following his heart and his conscience. Reaction to Ziyech’s post was varied, with some praising his courage while others criticizing him for, in their view, crossing a line. But it is important to understand that Ziyech positions himself in a context where the suffering of the Palestinian people is increasingly difficult to ignore. By speaking out, he helps draw international attention to a tragic situation that needs to be denounced. Additionally, recent examples, such as that of Moroccan footballer Anwar El Ghazi, show that other players of Moroccan origin have also taken risks to express solidarity with Palestine. El Ghazi lost his contract with German club Mainz 05 for supporting the cause, but he ultimately won his case on the grounds of freedom of expression. This parallel underlines that Ziyech, despite the controversy, is part of a broader movement of support for Palestinian rights. Additionally, El Ghazi paid the compensation he received following his trial to the Palestinian people, demonstrating his commitment to this cause.
Yearning for peace
Hakim Ziyech represents a strong and courageous voice in the world of sport. His commitment to the Palestinian cause should not be downplayed, but rather recognized as a sincere attempt to raise public awareness of a situation that requires urgent attention. As one of the best players in the Moroccan team, his opinion carries weight, and his ability to stand up for what he believes is right, even in the face of criticism, is a testament to his integrity and character. Ziyech’s voice is that of many Moroccans who, like him, aspire to peace and justice for the Palestinian people.
Related News :