Ben-Gvir blasts Moroccan football star Hakim Ziyech over death penalty law criticism
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‘Israeli’ National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir publicly condemned Moroccan international footballer Hakim Ziyech, labeling him antisemitic and issuing a pointed warning following the player’s criticism of a newly enacted ‘Israeli’ law permitting the execution of Palestinian detainees.
On April 7, Ziyech shared on his Instagram story an image of Ben-Gvir celebrating the Knesset’s approval of the legislation.
“Will [Ben-Gvir] claim this time that the passing of the new law is merely self-defence?” Ziyech said.
Ben-Gvir, according to statements cited by ‘Israeli’ sports website ONE, said: “An anti-Semitic player cannot give moral lessons to the State of Israel”.
“Israel will no longer act cautiously with its enemies.”
He added that prisons had changed under his tenure.
“Ziyech and all other antisemites will not escape,” he added.
The controversy stems from legislation passed by the ‘Israeli’ Knesset on March 30, 2026, by a vote of 62 to 48.
The law establishes death by hanging as the default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of alleged “terrorism-related offenses” involving lethal attacks.
Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, and several European governments have denounced the bill for creating a two-tiered legal system that targets Palestinians while imposing stricter procedural requirements.
Hakim Ziyech, a 32-year-old star currently playing for Wydad Casablanca and a former player for clubs such as Chelsea and Ajax, has long voiced support for Palestinians on social media.
