The dead Palestinian footballer lamented by soccer pundit Gary Lineker was actually a Hamas terrorist killed after firing on Israeli soldiers.
The former England striker and BBC presenter sparked fury after he described the death as “awful” without giving the context.
Between Wednesday night and Thursday morning this week, IDF troops were escorting Israeli civilians to Joseph's Tomb in Nablus when Palestinians “hurled explosive devices and fired towards the soldiers”.
The soldiers said they retaliated with live fire and confirmed the death of one Palestinian, reported by the Israeli press to have been Daraghmeh, 23.
On Thursday, Hamas announced that Daraghmeh, who played for West Bank Premier League team Thaqafi Tulkarem football team, was “mourned martyr… who was shot dead by the Israeli occupation forces at dawn Thursday in Nablus City.”
In a headline on their Arabic website, the terrorist group referred to Daraghmeh as a “mujahid”, meaning fighter or warrior.
gary lineker tweet
A tweet posted by Gary Lineker (Photo: Twitter)
Images of a funeral procession in which Palestinians carrying Daraghmeh’s body draped in the Hamas flag have been published by several photo agencies.
Mr Lineker had voiced his outrage over the shooting in response to a tweet that read: “This #Palestinian soccer player Ahmed Daraghmeh was waiting for a great future in representing his country's team, #Palestine.
“The bullets of the occupation stopped his football dream & took his life treacherously. A little while ago in #Nablus. #FreePalestine #Ukraine #sportgala”.
Emma Picken, an activist for Labour Against Antisemitism, wrote in response to Mr Lineker’s tweet: “He was a member of Hamas you useful idiot.”
Aviva Klompas, a former head of speechwriting with the Israeli mission to the UN, said: “You forgot to mention that the soccer player was carrying a gun and firing at IDF troops.”
An unofficial video claiming to be of Mr Daraghmeh shows him being killed while holding a weapon alongside other armed individuals.
Overnight, Israeli ops in Nablus resulted in the exchange of fire between militants & Israeli forces. One militant,Ahmed Daraghmeh, hailed as a Palestinian soccer star, was killed as he engaged in armed clashes. Below he is holding a weapon w/ other armed individuals and is shot. pic.twitter.com/fDuWIzQtuE
— Joe Truzman (@JoeTruzman) December 22, 2022
On Friday Palestine’s Football Association told the Arab News website that they would urge football governing body Fifa to investigate Mr Faraghmeh’s death.
Violent riots often take place when Orthodox Jewish groups make their near-monthly pilgrimages to the biblical holy site.
23 Palestinians were reportedly injured in the clashes which also unravelled in the nearby Balata refugee camp.
The Lion's Den terror group, formed in Nablus this summer, has since claimed responsibility for firing at a military post near the city.
The JC has contacted Mr Lineker for comment.
