Majdal Shams children honoured in football match with Israeli legends
A year after deadly Hezbollah attack on northern Druze town, families of the 12 victims meet sporting heroes
The 12 Druze children and young adults murdered last July when a Hezbollah missile hit a football field in Majdal Shams were honoured on Wednesday in an emotional exhibition match.
Majdal Shams is one of four towns in the Golan Heights and home to around 25,000 Druze.
The event at the Israel National Team training grounds in Shefayim near Herzliya brought together the families of the victims and the injured, alongside legendary players from Israel’s national team – including Amir Shelah, Omri Afek and Pini Balili, and members of the Artists’ Team, such as Ben Ben Baruch, Yoseph Haddad and Amiram Tovim.
Children and families who travelled especially from the Golan Heights enjoyed an inflatable play area, took photos with the footballers and joined them on the pitch for a game before receiving medals and certificates.
The event was organised by the Israel Football Association and Shurat HaDin, the Israeli law centre dedicated to fighting terrorism and protecting Jewish communities.
IFA chairman Shino Zuaretz said: “This is a deeply moving event that symbolises unity and hope for the future, even as we carry the pain and memory of the tragedy that took the lives of the beloved children of Majdal Shams. Football is not just a game – it is a tool that helps heal and connect people. We will continue to initiate joint activities with the Druze community in Israel, out of deep appreciation and genuine partnership.”
President of Shurat HaDin, Nitsana Darshan-Leitner said: “We sought to bring a measure of hope to families who lost what was most dear to them. The most powerful response to terrorism is our very existence here, together. These precious children, who simply wanted to play football in their free time, suddenly found themselves under a murderous attack. My colleagues and I will continue to fight for them in every way possible, to bring justice to the victims of terror.”
Shurat HaDin is currently leading the legal effort on behalf of the victims of the Majdal Shams tragedy, filing a major lawsuit of approximately 100 million shekels (£22 million) in damages against Hezbollah.
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