UEFA President Conveys Condolences during Israeli Tragedy

 UEFA President Conveys Condolences during Israeli Tragedy

President of UEFA Aleksander Ceferin and Giorgio Marchetti attend before Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on October 11, 2023 in Florence, Italy.(Image-Getty)

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has conveyed his condolences to the head of Israel's Football Association, Moshe Zuares, in response to the tragic "senseless acts of violence" carried out by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, resulting in the loss of over 1,300 lives in Israel. The violence reached its peak when Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip conducted a devastating incursion into parts of southern Israel, marking the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in the country's history.

While UEFA, the governing body for European football, had not issued public statements at the time, they took action by postponing all matches in Israel, including the Euro 2024 qualifiers. However, Ceferin took a personal initiative to express his sympathy and solidarity.

In his letter to Moshe Zuares, Ceferin wrote, "On behalf of UEFA and the European football community, I am writing to express our profound sorrow upon learning about the tragic acts of violence that occurred last week in Israel, resulting in the loss of innocent lives." He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families and acknowledged the profound impact this tragedy has had on the entire football community.

Ceferin continued, "We sincerely hope no one will ever again experience such grief. My friend, I pray for these deep wounds to heal and for a world where such senseless acts of violence have no place."

Due to the ongoing conflict with Hamas, Israel's Group I Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Switzerland and Kosovo were postponed. UEFA clarified that Israeli authorities were not allowing the national team to travel abroad, emphasizing the challenging circumstances faced by the nation during this period of unrest.