Jonathan Adelman, the chair of Tottenham’s Tribute Trust, has resigned in an open letter criticising the club’s statement in the aftermath of the Hamas attack in Israel.
The chairman of Tottenham’s Tribute Trust has resigned in the aftermath of the club’s disappointing response to the recent Hamas attacks in Israel, which killed over 1,300 people. Israel has since responded with air strikes, killing over 1,400 people in Gaza.
The FA had been chastised earlier in the week for remaining mute on the attacks, and has subsequently been chastised for confirming that they will not be lighting up the Wembley arch in the blue and white of Israel before England’s match against Australia on Friday night.
Tottenham FC issued a statement in response to the attacks on Thursday, joining the FA. “The Club and our footballing family is shocked and saddened by the escalating crisis in Israel and Gaza, and strongly condemns the horrific and brutal acts of violence against innocent civilians,” the statement stated. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the affected towns.”
However, Jonathan Adelman, the chair of the charity, which has been looking after retired players for over a decade, has strongly opposed the remark. And he revealed in an open letter addressed to Tottenham director Donna Cullen but also forwarded to chairman Daniel Levy that he would be resigning owing to the club’s “lack of moral clarity” in dealing with the Jewish community.
“I simply don’t understand what moral compass those who drafted and signed off the club’s statement have given the savage butchery of Jews by Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organisation,” he wrote in his letter.
“I expected nothing better from the FA, but I did from our club, not just because we have an Israeli player, not just because of the club’s deep connection with the Jewish community, but also given the commendable stance the club took on taking the knee, standing with Ukraine and so on.”
“It has been an absolute privilege to support our past players in their time of need, first as a founding trustee and then as chair of the Tottenham Tribute Trust,” Adelman said of his own role.
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