Israeli outrage over Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan’s raising Palestinian flag

OCCUPIED PALESTINE, July 04 (YPA) – The action of Egyptian national team manager, Hossam Hassan, in raising the Palestinian flag and dedicating Egypt’s historic qualification to the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup to the Palestinian people and the residents of the Gaza Strip, has sparked a wave of widespread anger across Hebrew media and Israeli circles.

Following the victory over Australia, Hassan stated: “I dedicate this victory to the kind and generous Palestinian people who have never failed to support us… My heart and soul are with them, and may God have mercy on their martyrs.”

Key Reactions in the Hebrew Media:

• Channel 12: Considered raising the flag a political message that provokes anger within the occupying state, given the official relations between Egypt and Tel Aviv. It also noted calls among “Israelis” to cheer for Argentina against Egypt in the upcoming match.
• Yedioth Ahronoth: Accused the Egyptian coach of exploiting a global platform to express solidarity, while highlighting the widespread celebrations of Egypt’s victory across the Gaza Strip despite the conditions of the war.
• Walla and i24NEWS: Monitored the Israeli backlash on social media platforms, while simultaneously broadcasting footage of large crowds of Gazans who gathered to watch the match and raised Egyptian flags.

Notably, the Egyptian national team is preparing to face Argentina in the Round of 16, following the latter’s 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde.

YPA