Israel-Gaza Conflict: Mainz Lifts El Ghazi Proscription

Anwar El Ghazi, a Dutch winger for Mainz in the German Bundesliga, has had his social media ban overturned in response to a message he made on the ongoing crisis between Israel and Gaza.

Remember that on October 16, Mainz prohibited El Ghazi, 28, from taking part in team practices and games after he shared a social media message that was interpreted as being pro-Palestine.

El Ghazi “took a position on the Middle East conflict in a manner that wasn’t tolerable for the club,” according to a statement from the club.

Then came the rumor that El Ghazi’s contract will be terminated by the German club due to his pro-Palestine post. The club’s stadium is named after its founder, Jewish man Eugen Salomon, who was driven out of the club by the Nazis in 1933 and perished in the Holocaust in 1942.

El Ghazi was obliged to return home to the Netherlands, where he is presently located, as a result of the suspension and the rumored plan to cancel his contract.

According to a club statement: “Anwar El Ghazi will soon resume training and matchday activities with 1. FSV Mainz 05, given his commitment to upholding the club’s values and the remorse shown, and in keeping with the club’s culture of using mistakes as an opportunity to learn.”

El Ghazi has now distanced himself from his Instagram post, which he removed minutes later, in several conversations with the club, the club continued. He is sorry for the post’s publication and its detrimental effects, particularly to the club as a whole.

Anwar El Ghazi was informed by the club’s board that club personnel are expected to adhere to a set of ideals. This code of principles implies a special obligation to the state of Israel and the Jewish people, which results from shared history with Eugen Salomon, a founder member of FSV and a prominent figure in the Jewish community, as well as from historical events in German history.

Remember that El Ghazi signed a free transfer to Mainz during the previous summer transfer window? The Dutch winger had participated in three games this season before to his ban.