The Fortuna Düsseldorf, a team in the German Second Division, announced on Tuesday that they will not sign the Israeli forward Shon Weissman, who is currently playing for Granada CF in Spain. This decision comes after strong rejection from their fans regarding the player’s arrival.
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The 29-year-old attacker began his career at Maccabi Haifa in his country and has also played for Real Valladolid in Spain and Salernitana in the Italian Serie A. Additionally, he has also been selected for the Israel national team.
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Why did Fortuna Düsseldorf veto the hiring of the Israeli player?
“We have been in intense talks with Shon Weissman, but ultimately we have decided to abstain from signing him,” said Fortuna Düsseldorf in a brief tweet on their official X social media profile, without clarifying if this decision was related to the protests by fans against the player, as well as a petition on Change.org to stop the transfer, due to the apparent pro-Israel stance of the attacker in the Gaza attacks."
Fans specifically refer to the fact that, after the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 that led to the attack on Gaza, Weissman “liked” messages on social media calling for the annihilation of this part of Palestine, according to the Israeli website Walla.
What was Shon Weissman’s reaction?
The forward reacted to this refusal from Fortuna Düsseldorf on his official Instagram profile, where he recalled being “a son of a nation that still mourns the horrors of October 7th.” “That black day, when entire families were murdered, kidnapped, and brutalized, remains an open wound for me as a person, as a member of an Israeli family, and as an athlete representing my country,” he said.
“It is possible and necessary to oppose the harming of innocent people on both sides, but I will not allow myself to be seen as someone who promoted hatred. If some find it hard to accept, they should reconsider what happened on October 7th. While I accept all criticisms, it hurts me that the full context has not been taken into account,” continued the Granada CF footballer.
The attacker made it clear that, “in a moment of national and personal distress,” he maintains his “commitment to the values of humanity, sportsmanship, and mutual respect.” “After all, a person will always support their country, no matter what happens. No one can truly understand what we have gone through. Loyalty is unquestionable. Especially when your people continue to bury their dead,” he warned.
“I am deeply grateful for the support I have received from those who truly know me, and I will continue to proudly carry the Israeli flag wherever I play,” Weissman concluded.