This is how the Israeli striker, banned for supporting the attacks on Gaza, thinks.

The terrible famine in the Gaza Strip is taking its toll on the transfer market. Ideology, politics, and war influence every sector, and football is no exception. The conflict between Israel and Hamas marks the future of striker Shon Weissman (Kiryat Haim, Haifa, 1996). The Jewish striker's signing was rejected by Fortuna Düsserldorf after pressure from the German club's fans regarding the player's stance taken in recent years regarding Israel's repression of the Gazan population.

Bild reported on Tuesday that the footballer had previously posted several messages on social media following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,219 people and triggered Israel's offensive in Gaza, which has now left more than 60,000 dead. Bild recalled that Weissman called on Israel on social media to "wipe Gaza off the map" or "drop 200 tons of bombs" on the Palestinian territory. "There are no innocent people (in Gaza), they don't need to be warned," he reportedly wrote in another message. Weissman later deleted the posts, attributing them to a mistake in a highly charged moment . But fans of the Düsseldorf club have not forgotten the past and pointed out that the comments were "disrespectful and discriminatory, contrary to the principles that Fortuna represents and seeks to promote."

After his transfer was ruled out, the forward indicated that he will not change his views on the conflict. " I will continue to proudly carry my country's flag wherever I play," he said. He also emphasized that he will not allow himself to be seen as an inciter of hatred.

"I am the son of a nation mourning the horrors of October 7. That dark day remains a wound for me as a member of an Israeli family and as an athlete representing my country," Weissman said, referring to the murder of hundreds of Israelis at the hands of Hamas. "It is possible and necessary to oppose the harm to innocent people on both sides, but I will not allow myself to be portrayed as someone who incited hatred ," added the forward, who currently plays for Granada in the Spanish Second Division.

Weissman added that he remains "committed" to "the values of humanity, sportsmanship, and mutual respect." "No one on the outside can truly understand what we've been through. Loyalty is not up for debate, especially when your people are still burying their dead ," said the 29-year-old striker, who has made 33 appearances for Israel and left this week for Düsseldorf to undergo his medical with Fortuna. "I am deeply grateful for the support I have received from people who truly know me, and I will continue to proudly carry the Israeli flag wherever I play," he emphasized.

The Jewish footballer already heard protests from Granada fans when he signed for the club in January 2023. Granada is willing to part ways with the forward because his departure would lighten the club's salary bill. Weeks ago, the forward received offers from Greek and Cypriot clubs , but no agreement was reached.

Weissman isn't the only player whose career has been affected by the war. In 2023, Bundesliga club Mainz sacked Moroccan-born Dutchman Anwar El Ghazi for several social media posts, a dismissal that the German courts deemed unjustified, AFP reports. Noussair Mazraoui , a former Bayern Munich defender now at Manchester United, was forced to apologize after calling for "victory" for "our oppressed brothers in Palestine" on social media.