Tottenham chief resigns over "lack of moral clarity" on Israel-Hamas conflict
The chairman of Tottenham's Tribute Trust has resigned in the wake of the club's disappointing response to the recent Hamas attacks in Israel.
More than 1,300 people were killed following the terrorist group's attack last Saturday. Israel have since responded with air strikes, killing more than 1,400 people in Gaza.
The FA had been criticised for staying silent on the attacks earlier in the week and has since been slammed after it was confirmed that they would not be lighting up the Wembley arch in the blue and white of Israel before England's match against Australia on Friday night.
Tottenham joined the FA in issuing a statement in response to the attacks on Thursday. It read: “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. Our heartfelt sympathies are with the victims, their families and the communities impacted.”
But the statement has been heavily criticised by Jonathan Adelman, the chair of the charity, which was set up to look after former players for over a decade. And he confirmed via an open letter addressed to Tottenham director Donna Cullen but also sent to chairman Daniel Levy that he would be tendering his resignation due to the "lack of moral clarity" shown by a club with a deep connection to the Jewish community.
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His letter said: “I simply don’t understand what if any 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.
Jonathan Adelman said he could "no longer engage" with club chairman Daniel Levy (Getty Images)“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.”
Adelman went on to address his own role, adding: “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.
"The role as chair necessarily involved dialogue with yourself (Cullen) and occasionally Daniel. I personally can no longer engage with you as I have a zero-tolerance approach to those incapable of condemning the bestial slaughter of Jews.
“So in light of your catastrophic failure of moral clarity, I have agreed with my fellow trustees that I will step back as chair of the Tottenham Tribute Trust with immediate effect until such time as those who drafted and sanctioned that statement are no longer at the club. Having discussed this matter with my fellow trustees, who are fully supportive, TTT will operate without a chair for the time being.”
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