Jewish community tells Man City coach to ‘focus on soccer’ after he decries ‘genocide in Palestine’
Local group say remarks by Pep Guardiola ‘especially galling given his total failure to display any solidarity with Jewish community’ after deadly Yom Kippur attack on synagogue
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been told to “focus on soccer” after Jewish community leaders took exception to his comments about “the genocide in Gaza” while addressing the victims of global conflicts.
Guardiola made the remarks ahead of a game against Newcastle United, five days after he voiced support for Palestinians at a pro-Palestinian charity concert in Barcelona, where he went onstage wearing a keffiyeh and condemned political leaders for being cowardly.
“Never, ever in the history of humanity have we had the information in front of our eyes watching more clearly than now,” Guardiola told reporters in Manchester.
“The genocide in Palestine, what happened in Ukraine, what happened in Russia, what happened all around the world – in Sudan, everywhere,” he added. “What happened in front of us? Do you want to see it? It’s our problems as human beings. It’s our problems.”
Israel adamantly rejects the accusation that it has committed genocide in Gaza, saying it takes measures to avoid harming noncombatants and blaming Hamas for fighting from civilian areas.
Guardiola’s views frustrated the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester, which fears antisemitic acts could be fueled by similar language.
“We have repeatedly asked for prominent individuals to be mindful about the words they use given how Jewish people have had to endure attacks across the globe,” a statement posted on X read.
“Pep Guardiola is a soccer manager. Whilst his humanitarian reflections may be well-intentioned, he should focus on soccer.”
The group also accused Guardiola of a “total failure” to display solidarity with Manchester’s Jewish community in the wake of the terror attack during Yom Kippur last year on the Heaton Park Synagogue, in which two people were killed.
“It’s especially galling given his total failure to use his significant platform to display any solidarity with the Jewish community subjected to a terrorist attack a few miles from the Etihad Stadium,” the statement added.
“We implore Mr Guardiola to be more careful in his future language given the significant risk faced by our community.”
The Times of Israel Community.