Former Galatasaray player Hakim Ziyech to Israeli Security Minister: 'We are not afraid of Zionism'

Former Galatasaray player Hakim Ziyech responded to Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who threatened him following the passage of a law mandating the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners, by stating, 'We are not afraid of Zionism.'

The Israeli Knesset recently approved the controversial bill, which introduces the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners, with 62 votes in favor and 48 against.

Far-right minister Ben-Gvir, a proponent of the death penalty law for Palestinians, had threatened Palestinian mothers in the occupied and blockaded West Bank, stating, "Every mother will know that if her child attempts to kill someone, they will be executed."

Ziyech, who previously played for Galatasaray and currently plays for Morocco's Wydad Casablanca (WAC), shared a photo of Ben-Gvir celebrating the approval of the law—which was introduced by Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party—in the Knesset, writing, "Will he (Ben-Gvir) claim this time too that the passing of the new law is just self-defense?"

The Israeli Minister, addressing Ziyech, stated, "An antisemitic player cannot lecture Israel on morality," and threatened the star footballer by saying, "Israel will no longer act cautiously against its enemies. Since I took office, the prisons have changed. We will apply the (death) penalty to all armed individuals, and Ziyech and all antisemites will not escape this."

Former Galatasaray star Ziyech responded to the far-right Israeli Minister on his social media account with the post, "We are not afraid of Zionism."