Tel Aviv's anger at Egyptian national team manager Hossam Hassan has turned into a major media campaign to encourage Argentina against Egypt in the round of 16 match of the current World Cup.
Israeli anger turns into a campaign of support for Argentina ahead of their historic World Cup clash with Egypt.
Following the Egyptian national team’s qualification for the World Cup and its coach Hossam Hassan’s raising of the Palestinian flag, a wave of intense anger swept through Israeli media circles and social networks in Tel Aviv, turning into a systematic campaign against the Egyptian team.
Social media platforms in Tel Aviv have become a platform for appealing to the public to support the Argentinian national team in spite of the Pharaohs, amid official and popular demands to eliminate Egypt from the tournament.
In this context, Dr. Mohamed Aboud, Professor of Israeli Studies at Ain Shams University in Egypt, told RT that a state of obsession and anxiety has gripped the Israeli public regarding the technical director of the Egyptian national team, Hossam Hassan, after the incident of raising the Palestinian flag following the Pharaohs' qualification for the World Cup finals.
He explained that this image sparked widespread anger within Israeli circles, reaching the point of discussing the threat to the peace agreement and demanding an official complaint be filed with FIFA, alleging that Egypt violated the rules of the game.
Dr. Mohamed Abboud added that the most striking aspect of this was the announcement by many Israelis, whom he described as supporters of Netanyahu's faction, of their intention to cheer for the Argentinian national team out of spite for the Egyptian team. He noted that even the Israeli Foreign Minister went so far as to demand that Argentina win the World Cup.
The professor of Israeli studies at Ain Shams University pointed out that this Israeli anger stemmed from three main reasons. First, the presence of the Palestinian flag at the World Cup brought back to the forefront the issue of the genocide being perpetrated by the occupation army in Gaza, and in a matter of seconds, it undermined a portion of the Israeli propaganda efforts on which millions of dollars had been spent. He emphasized that a heartfelt emotional gesture speaks louder than dozens of manufactured media campaigns.
Dr. Abboud continued, explaining that the second reason is the deep-seated animosity among large segments of the Israeli population towards everything Egyptian or Arab. The third reason, he said, lies in sporting jealousy; Israel remains unable to achieve any real success in continental and international championships, while Egypt is experiencing a period of historical pride.
To illustrate the extent of this anger, Dr. Mohammed Abboud shared examples of Israeli comments. One user, named Yoni, posted a message urging his followers to support Argentina in their match against Egypt, claiming that anyone who didn't was hating Israel and football.
Another account focused on Israeli affairs also noted an angry and inflammatory tone, considering Hossam Hassan's raising of the Palestinian flag a blatant violation of FIFA rules. The account called for Egypt's expulsion from the World Cup, questioning the reaction if someone had raised an Israeli flag, and asserting that there was no place for what it termed "Palestinian terrorism" in sports.
For his part, Israeli actor and politician Yossi Elazar mocked the situation, questioning the value of the peace agreement with Egypt after the Egyptian coach raised the Palestinian flag upon qualifying for the round of 16, and demanding that the organizers be held accountable.
In the same vein, Israeli sports journalist Amit Leventhal went even further, mocking the Egyptian achievement and writing that Egypt, having qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in its history, deserved a major award for this accomplishment, sarcastically suggesting that they be given Gaza.
The Israeli mockery wasn't limited to Hossam Hassan or the Palestinian flag; it extended to belittling the Egyptian sporting achievement itself
In this regard, Dr. Mohamed Abboud pointed out that an Israeli sports page published a picture of player Mohamed Hany, claiming that he was entering World Cup history in a big way as the first player to score two own goals in one edition, in a malicious reference to Colombian player Andres Escobar, who was assassinated after scoring an own goal in the 1994 World Cup.
Dr. Mohamed Abboud concluded his remarks to RT by saying that while Egypt and the Arab countries celebrated the Egyptian national team's victory and qualification, the Israelis were in a state of distress and annoyance because the Palestinian flag had returned to the forefront through sports, and because Egypt, as usual, was a supporter of the Palestinian people and the host of this honorable moment
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan transformed his victory celebration into a powerful humanitarian and political message when he publicly raised the Palestinian flag and dedicated the win to the Palestinian people.
The Israeli newspaper, which is affiliated with the Israeli left, stated that the Egyptian national team coach, Hossam Hassan, celebrated in a unique way after his team qualified for the Round of 16 in the World Cup for the first time in its history, following the Pharaohs' victory over Australia in a penalty shootout
The Hebrew daily added that Hassan brought out the Palestinian flag and waved it on the pitch in Dallas, dedicating this victory to the Palestinian people, after Hossam Abdel-Maguid scored the fourth and decisive penalty kick for Egypt against goalkeeper Mathew Ryan. Haaretz
quoted Hassan as saying, "I dedicate this victory to the Palestinian people, and I pray that God grants them success, prosperity, and mercy. My heart and soul are with them, in recognition of their support for us throughout our journey in this tournament."
He went on to congratulate the Egyptian people and all Arab and African fans, expressing his happiness at bringing joy to Arab football through this qualification
