On Sunday, during an NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans in London, chanting “Free Palestine” could be heard during a moment of silence for Israel.
The terrorist group Hamas orchestrated the Palestinian militant strike on Israel on October 7. As a result, Israel began its largest-ever bombing against Gaza. More than 1,300 Israelis had been slain as of Sunday. The Associated Press reported that the Gaza Health Ministry estimated over 2,300 deaths due to the conflict.
The attack has prompted strong reactions from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups worldwide, who have taken to social media and in-person protests to share their perspectives.
The NFL agreed to observe a moment of silence for Israel before to kickoff. Video footage uploaded on YouTube, however, shows that chants of “Free Palestine” quickly broke through the silence.
However, NFL communications director Morgan Rubin claimed the silence was entirely observed.
The London moment went off without a hitch and as planned, according to Rubin. “This was a moment of silence, not a minute of silence,” he said.
NFL clubs will observe a moment of silence before each game this week to honor those lost in the Hamas attack on Israel, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
In a statement released Monday, the NFL condemned the incident and urged calm.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators, demanding an end to Israel’s military action in the Gaza Strip, reportedly necessitated the mobilization of more than a thousand police officers in London as they marched from BBC News’ Broadcasting House to 10 Downing Street, the official residence and office of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Tensions continue to rise due to the continuous battle, with protests and counter-protests breaking out in major U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, as people try to figure out what to do in the face of the ongoing war.
