The rabbi who chairs the FA’s Faith in Football network has quit over the decision not to illuminate the Wembley Stadium arch in the colours of the Israeli flag.
Rabbi Alex Goldberg said he was “profoundly disappointed” the FA chose not to have a “specific tribute” during England’s upcoming matches against Australia today and Italy on Tuesday.
The FA announced yesterday both teams will wear black armbands during their friendly match, with a moment of silence planned ahead of kick-off, in the wake of the Hamas attack on Israel.
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In a statement, it said it will “remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine“, adding: “We stand for humanity and an end to the death, violence, fear and suffering.”
It will also promote a Red Cross emergency appeal to support people affected by the humanitarian crisis.
But the decision saw the FA branded “spineless” by a Jewish supporters’ group, while the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the largest and second-oldest Jewish communal organisation in the UK, condemned the “weak response”.
The Board of Deputies questioned why the FA had shown solidarity with France following the Bataclan massacre during the Paris attacks in 2015 – but refused to do the same for Israel.
Rabbi Goldberg, who has children living in Israel, revealed his intention to step away from the network – which brings together football fans of different faiths – in a letter published on Friday.
Writing to the FA’s CEO, Mark Bullingham, he said: “I have a long history of working with a long association with the FA over 20 years creating programmes for schools, bringing faith communities into the football family and developing frameworks to advise county FA’s leagues and clubs on best practice.
“I have been proud of what we did under the FA banner.
“I want to formally break the link between our advisory group and the Football Association.
“We shall continue to service the football family through the Premier League and Football League Clubs that we currently support at an elite level and the grassroots game as Faith in Football.
“In doing so, I feel I can better express my profound disappointment in the FA’s decision not to have a specific tribute during the upcoming matches against Australia and Italy at Wembley Stadium to the victims of the worse single atrocity committed against Jewish targets since the Shoah (the Hebrew term for the Holocaust).”
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Rabbi Goldberg questioned the FA’s decision after Downing Street, the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building were among global monuments to honour Israeli victims of the Hamas atrocity.
“For me, it’s imperative that our responses and actions, especially in international platforms like those at Wembley Stadium, are unequivocal in their support for the victims of such atrocities,” he added.
He also criticised the FA’s decision to allow only flags and kits of competing nations inside Wembley during the two matches.
“Many see the statement to only permit flags and representations of the competing nations as eradicating Jewish symbols and it has compounded grievances with the gravity of the recent events, but also inadvertently neglects the security and emotional well-being of Jewish fans who may be in attendance,” Rabbi Goldberg added.
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The squads wearing black armbands and observing a moment of silence are “respectful” gestures – but “may not fully convey the depth of of solidarity and support necessary for the communities affected, both directly and indirectly, by these atrocious acts of violence – nor help give reassurance to Jews being attacked in this country now,” he said.
“Your leadership decisions in these moments are crucial and will resonate far beyond the game.
“I hope they reflect the depth of compassion, understanding, and solidarity necessary during these challenging times.”
In a statement, an FA spokesperson said it was “sorry” to hear of Rabbi Goldberg’s decision to resign.
Although this is an informal group that is not part of the FA’s governance structure, we are grateful for the support he has provided over the years.
“It is also important to clarify that our decision not to allow Israeli or Palestine flags into Wembley Stadium was made at the direct request of senior members of the Jewish community,” a statement added.
The FA’s decision has also been criticised by Downing Street, with Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer saying she’d been left “extremely disappointed”.
“Words and actions matter. The government is clear: we stand with Israel,” she said.
