Khaberni - "Ziyech and all other anti-Semites will not escape".. With this explicit threat, the Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, triggered a public confrontation with the international Moroccan star Hakim Ziyech because of his support for the Palestinian cause.
The crisis began when Ziyech published on his "Instagram" account a picture of Ben-Gvir celebrating the Knesset's approval of the "execution of Palestinian prisoners" law, and he commented with a piercing question: "Will (Ben-Gvir) claim this time that the approval of the new law is just self-defense?"
The response from the right-wing minister was swift, who harshly attacked Ziyech saying: "An anti-Semitic player cannot lecture the State of Israel on morality," adding in a threatening tone: "Israel will no longer cautiously handle its enemies.. Since I took office the prisons have changed, and God willing, we will apply the penalty to all militants."
Background of the "Execution Law"
Ben-Gvir's threats come after the Knesset passed the "execution" law on March 30 with a majority of 62 votes, a law that stirs international human rights panic regarding the fate of over 9,500 Palestinians in Israeli prisons, including women and children, suffering harsh conditions of starvation and medical neglect, according to reports from Palestinian and Israeli human rights and humanitarian organizations.
Moroccan Support: "Ziyech Represents the Free"
Amid this Israeli threat, the Moroccan "Justice and Development Party" entered the fray, officially declaring in a statement their full solidarity with Ziyech against the threats from who they described as "war criminal Ben-Gvir".
The party praised Ziyech's "courageous and bold humanitarian stance," affirming that his defense of Palestinian prisoners aligns with the steadfast positions of the "Free Moroccans" who reject the savage aggression and forced displacement dating back to the Nakba of 1948.
The Influence of Ziyech
Observers believe that Ziyech's entrance with his sports and public influence into criticizing Israeli legislation represents a "diplomatic and media headache" for Ben-Gvir, who attempted to suppress the player's voice by branding him as "anti-Semitic" and directly threatening with prosecution.
In the year 1948, Israel was established on lands occupied by armed Zionist gangs that committed massacres and displaced at least 750,000 Palestinians, then Tel Aviv occupied the rest of the Palestinian territories, refusing to withdraw and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
