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Mesut Özil: Former national player shows solidarity with Palestinians

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Ex-national player
“You will never stand alone”: Mesut Özil expresses his solidarity with Palestinians

Ex-national player Mesut Özil

© Martin Rickett / PA Wire / DPA

Mesut Özil speaks out politically again – this time with a statement about the war in the Middle East. In a tweet he takes a very clear stance.

The former soccer world champion Mesut Özil once again expressed his solidarity with the Palestinians. On Friday, the 34-year-old shared a video from the fan block of the Champions League game between Celtic Glasgow and Atlético Madrid (2:2) on Wednesday on Instagram and on the X platform, formerly Twitter. The approximately 70-second recording shows how many Scottish supporters are singing the football classic “You’ll never walk alone” in the stands with Palestine flags.

Özil wrote: “People in Palestine – you will never walk alone. Respect to the fans of @CelticFC.” He also posted hearts and the flag of Palestine himself. The Celtic club management had distanced itself from the fans’ political statements.

Mesut Özil: Footballer polarizes with political statements

A few days ago, ex-national player Özil expressed his regret over the deaths of thousands of people in Israel and the Gaza Strip. Terrorists on behalf of the Islamist organization Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip, carried out a massacre on October 7th; it was the worst bloodbath in Israeli history. Israel responds by launching airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. According to the Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health in Gaza, more than 7,000 people were killed.

Özil has caused a stir with his political statements several times in the past. In December 2019, the then Arsenal FC professional criticized the oppression of the Uyghurs in China on social media. In addition, his photos and his proximity to the controversial Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan caused criticism, especially in Germany.