CODEPINK, in efforts with #GameOverIsrael, has sent a letter to the wife of the president of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), in hopes that this will be a push in the right direction of boycotting Israeli presence in European football. This letter has been signed by a coalition of women – mothers, partners, feminists, artists, activists, and trailblazers.
The Letter:
Mrs. Čeferin,
Israel is committing a genocide. At the time of the writing of this letter, after the ceasefire agreement signing, they are ferociously shelling the Gaza Strip.
We write to you as fellow women, partners, mothers, and trailblazers to ask that you do everything in your power to help remove Israel from European football.
We understand the unique influence we as women have in our communities and relationships, and in normal circumstances, we would leave that power to each other to wield in private. But we are not living in normal circumstances.
Our world has been turned upside down. We have watched Israel conduct a genocide live-streamed to our mobiles for two years and have seen the unimaginable day after day. We have broken down in horror and grief. It is difficult to absorb the direct suffering and the long-term implications of this reality.
While a ceasefire has been announced, the injustice of hundreds of thousands of people murdered, of children bombed to pieces, sniped in the head, and starved to death cannot be swept away or forgotten.
A ceasefire does not bring them back; a ceasefire does not return the destroyed universities, schools, hospitals, city infrastructure and homes to the land; a ceasefire does not clean the water, soil and air of deadly toxins, or guarantee enough food, water and medicine entrance into Gaza; a ceasefire does not erase the monstrosities committed by Israel against Palestinians, against humanity. Even if the bombs and bullets stop, Israel must be held accountable.
We are not facing an entity that brings legitimate claims to the table. We are dealing with a project that, in their practice of dehumanisation, have committed such crimes – killing of civilians, torture, forced displacement, ethnic cleansing, and genocide – that the very foundation of the human experience has been broken.
We must not allow Israel to continue with life as usual – in culture, sport, or football – until they end the genocide and their unlawful occupation, and fully comply with their obligations under international law.
If Israel is not held accountable, Palestine and Palestinians will continue to be erased, and our future and that of our children will be in grave danger.
Now is the time for every individual to use their power to protect the global future. We urge you to demand those with whom you have influence urgently act on their moral and legal obligation, and kick Israel out of European football.
Genocide must not be normalised.
In solidarity,
Signatures:
