Earlier this week, Eric Cantona delivered an emotive speech at Together For Palestine.
The former Manchester United star delivered this rousing speech at the OVO Arena Wembley, which included performances from Paul Weller, Damon Albarn, Yaslin Bey, Rachel Chinouriri and more. Cantona was among the presenters there on the night, including Richard Gere, Benedict Cumberbatch, PinkPatheress, Nicola Coughlin and Florence Pugh.
While speaking, Eric Cantona issued an urgent call for a sporting boycott of Israel in football. The Frenchman was introduced onto the stage by Palestinian footballer Mahmoud Sarsak, who went on hunger strike for three months after he was imprisoned by Israel in 2012 without trial.
“I have played for France and Manchester United. I know that international football is more than just sport", Cantona told the crowd. “It’s culture, it’s political, it’s soft power, in the way that a country represents itself on the global stage".
“The time has come to suspend Israel from that privilege. Four days after Russia started a war in Ukraine, FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia".
“We are now 716 days into what Amnesty International have called a genocide, yet Israel have continued to be allowed to participate. Why is there double standards? FIFA and UEFA must suspend Israel. Clubs everywhere must refuse to play Israeli teams. Current players everywhere must refuse to play against Israeli teams,” he said.
Cantona added: “We all remember apartheid in South Africa. The sporting boycott was critical in ending it. We have power. You have power. And football fans around the world have power".
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This show, which raised under £1.5 million for the 'Together For Palestine Fund', came just a day after a UN commission inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza.
The funds will be distributed to Palestinian-led organisations including Taawon, Palestine Medical Relief Service and Palestine Children's Relief Fund.
