On Tuesday, the Israeli national soccer team captain, Eran Zahavi, made a powerful statement before a qualifying match against Hungary in Budapest. Zahavi held up a shoe belonging to Avera Mengistu, an Israeli citizen who was kidnapped by Hamas in 2014 and has been held captive ever since.
The gesture was made to draw attention to the plight of Mengistu and other Israeli citizens who are being held captive in the Gaza Strip. Zahavi said he wanted to remind everyone that Mengistu and other captives are still missing and that their families are still waiting for them to come home.
The shoe was given to Zahavi by Mengistu’s family, who have been campaigning for his release since he was taken. They have held numerous rallies and vigils in Israel and abroad, but this was the first time that a member of the Israeli national team has publicly shown support for Mengistu.
Zahavi’s gesture was met with a standing ovation from the crowd in Budapest, as well as from his teammates and coaches. The Israeli team went on to win the match 2-1, with Zahavi scoring the winning goal in the second half.
The powerful gesture by Zahavi has been widely praised by fans and media around the world. It serves as a reminder that Mengistu and other captives are still missing and that their families are still waiting for them to come home. It also shows that sports can be used to draw attention to important issues and to make a difference in the world.
The Israeli team will now move on to the next round of qualifiers, but Zahavi’s powerful gesture will remain with us for a long time. It is a reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right and of never giving up hope.
