- Mesut Özil removes Israel from the map <unk> DFB reaction demanded
No Text, No Explanation, No Follow-up Comment: Former national player Mesut Özil posted a stark image on Instagram on Tuesday. It shows a map of the Middle East with Israel crossed out, and the word "Palestine" underneath. This was followed by a picture with friends and a video from the gym, as if it's completely normal to deny Israel's right to exist. With 28 million followers, the reactions were swift, especially the massive criticism.
CDU politician Julia Klöckner commented on the post on X (formerly Twitter), demanding that Özil return his Silver Laurel Leaf, the highest sporting award in Germany, which he received in 2010 for his achievements with the national team at the World Cup in South Africa. Notably, Özil does not have the Order of Merit.
The Jewish sports association Maccabi Germany also criticized Özil's post, calling it "anti-Israeli." President Alon Meyer said, "Of course, we hope that the DFB will also react to this and publicly distance itself from Özil." So far, the German Football Association has not issued an official statement.
Özil has previously made headlines with political controversies and increasing radicalization. Last year, he shared a picture from the gym showing a tattoo of a howling wolf and three half-moons on his chest. This symbol is one of the identifying marks of the Turkish, right-wing extremist "Ülkücü" movement, which is observed by the German constitutional protection office.
The CDU politician's demand for Mesut Özil to return his Silver Laurel Leaf was met with support from Maccabi Germany, who also called for the German Football Association to publicly distance itself from Özil due to his anti-Israeli post. The CDU, being a prominent political party in Germany, is likely to address this issue further in its meetings.
