Wembley Stadium's Unexpected Stand for Unity: Arch to Illuminate Diverse Colours
Wembley Stadium arch traditionally illuminates in solidarity after attacks, but not expected to display Israeli colors amidst ongoing conflict UEFA condemns recent attacks on Israel England to face Australia and Italy in upcoming matches
According to Sky News, it is understood that the Wembley Stadium arch will not be illuminated in the colors of the Israeli flag - blue and white. The Football Association (FA) is making arrangements to disclose how it intends to express solidarity with the over 1,300 individuals who lost their lives since Hamas initiated attacks on Israel the previous Saturday.
The FA is yet to comment.
England play Australia in a friendly at Wembley on Friday night with manager Gareth Southgate due to hold a pre-match news conference later on Thursday.
The Wembley arch has been lit in the colours of various country flags, such as France, Turkey, and Ukraine, as a response to recent attacks. Sensitivities arise as some individuals advocate for recognition of Palestinian casualties.
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The Wembley arch was illuminated with the French flag's colors in 2015, as a response to the terrorist attacks in Paris.
Prince William, the president of the FA, along with his wife, released a joint statement addressing the situation through a spokesperson from Kensington Palace.
Despite Israel's exercise of its right to self-defense, both Israelis and Palestinians will continue to grapple with feelings of grief, fear, and anger in the foreseeable future.
Prior to this, Health secretary Steve Barclay expressed his endorsement for illuminating the Wembley arch in blue and white on Friday, emphasizing the importance of demonstrating our unwavering support for Israel.
"We stand in solidarity with Israel and this support is evident in the actions of Parliament and Number 10," he stated. "It would be appropriate to demonstrate this solidarity at Wembley too."
According to recent reports from the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), the number of casualties due to Hamas's unexpected assault on Saturday has risen to a staggering figure of over 1,300 deaths and more than 2,700 injuries among Israelis.
UEFA condemns attacks on Israel
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has denounced the "senseless act of violence" carried out against Israel in a letter addressed to the nation's Football Association.Ceferin has expressed his deepest sympathies to them, which seems to be the initial statement, as viewed by Sky News, from a worldwide football figure concerning the recent attacks carried out by Hamas on Saturday.
As of now, there have been no official statements released by FIFA, UEFA, the English FA, the Premier League, the EFL, or any of their affiliated clubs.
The Department of Culture, Media, and Sport has urged all sports governing bodies to appropriately acknowledge the massacre, but without providing specific instructions.
English football's response to the victims has come under scrutiny, particularly due to the Wembley Stadium arch becoming a visible representation of solidarity for the Football Association and the entire nation.
Jewish fan groups in football have been calling for the arch to be lit up in the blue and white of the Israeli flag, which Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also advocated.
