A regional conflict between Israel and Hamas entered its fourth day on Tuesday and comes with news that the country is considering forming an emergency government.
As the events of the world are unfolding, many sports leagues and athletes issued statements of support for Israel.
Sports Leagues React: All the major North American sports leagues have commented on the situation in Israel, and numerous individual teams have either released their own statements or echoed the sentiments of their respective leagues.
Major League Baseball:
“We are horrified by the acts of terrorism committed against the people of Israel that took so many lives. We mourn for all those who lost loved ones and pray for the wounded, their caretakers and those still searching for family and friends. We condemn these acts of hatred and violence and are heartbroken for the people of Israel,” the MLB tweeted.
National Basketball Association:
“The NBA and NBPA mourn the horrific loss of life in Israel and condemn these acts of terrorism. We stand with the people of Israel and pray for peace for the entire region,” the NBA tweeted.
National Football League:
“The NFL mourns the loss of innocent lives in Israel and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism. The depravity of these acts is beyond comprehension, and we grieve with the families of those killed, injured, and still missing. We pray for peace and will always stand against the evils of hate,” the NFL tweeted.
National Hockey League:
“The National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association mourn the loss of life in Israel and condemn the acts of terrorism. We hope for a time when peace can be achieved,” the NHL tweeted.
Major League Soccer:
“Major League Soccer mourns the loss of innocent lives in Israel and condemns terrorism in all forms. Our hearts ache for all the families and friends of those who have lost their lives or are missing at this time. We hope that peace, dialogue and understanding will prevail over violence and hate,” the MLS tweeted.
UEFA, the governing body for international soccer, announced the postponement of several soccer matches that were set to be held in Israel, as shared by CNN.
“In light of the current security situation in Israel, UEFA has decided to postpone all matches scheduled in Israel in the next couple of weeks with new dates to be confirmed in due course,” UEFA said in a statement.
The matches include Euro 2024 qualifiers between Israel and Switzerland scheduled for Thursday, Israel’s matches in the Euro Under-21 championship, and a mini tournament of several Under-17 teams including Israel.
“UEFA will continue to closely monitor the situation and will remain in contact with all teams involved before making decisions on new dates and on potential changes to other upcoming fixtures.”
A Euro 2024 qualifying match between Israel and Kosovo set for Oct. 15 has not been postponed yet, but could be in the coming days.
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Athletes React: Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone played a pivotal role in their 42-24 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, leading his team with 11 tackles. However, post-game revelations by local media brought to light a personal concern: Anzalone's parents are currently trapped in Israel.
“It’s hard,” Anzalone told The Detroit News. “(It’s) really all I’ve been thinking about.”
Anzalone’s parents were touring parts of Israel as part of a church group. The group of over 50 people from the Florida church is now trying to leave the country after the war broke out.
Congressman Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), who represents the region where the church is located, has shared more details on bringing the church members home safely.
“I have 53 members of my constituency who are in Jerusalem right now,” Donalds told CNN. “Obviously, they are panicked, trying to find their way to get back to America.”
Donalds said the country should be doing everything it can to get Americans back home safely, and also sent a warning.
“And let me be very clear with Hamas – touch an Americans’ head and see what happens to you. That’s my position. That needs to be the position of the president of the United States right now.”
Anzalone shared the video clip of Donalds on CNN and sent a plea to President Joe Biden.
“Please get my parents home,” Anzalone wrote in a since-deleted tweet.
Several athletes have reacted to the situation in Israel, as shared by FrontOfficeSports.
Former NBA player Amar’e Stoudemire, who is Jewish, shared a video that criticized politicians for not speaking out enough about the attack on the Israelis. The former NBA player encouraged peace and safety for the people of the region.
Former NFL player Julian Edelman, who is Jewish, took to Twitter to express his concerns.
“Forget politics, forget money, forget land. This is hate. An ancient hate we’ve seen before,” Edleman said.
NBA player Deni Avdija, who is the league’s only Israeli player, shared a statement on Instagram showing support for the people of Israel and said that while he’s in America playing, “my thoughts are constantly pulled back to Israel.”
Dean Kremer, an Israeli pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles shares the MLB statement on Instagram and said his “heart just got ripped to shreads.”
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