Cincinnati Bengals have found themselves in the midst of controversy.
The Bengals’ recent stance on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has triggered a wave of negative opinions among NFL fans.
On the 7th of October 2023, as the Palestinian militant groups, led by Hamas, launched a large-scale invasion against Israel in what they called “Operation al-Aqsa Flood.”
The conflict escalated quickly, with thousands of rockets launched, incursions into Israeli territory.
In the wake of tensions, Israeli fighter jets have launched a relentless aerial assault on the Gaza Strip, a densely-inhabited coastal territory under the control of Hamas.
This wave of airstrikes, totaling in the hundreds, has resulted in widespread devastation, reducing homes and entire neighborhoods to rubble.
The situation in the Middle East had already been tense, marked by clashes and violence in various regions, including Jerusalem and Gaza.
In response to these events, the Cincinnati Bengals and the City of Cincinnati decided to illuminate their landmarks in the blue and white colors of the Israeli flag, symbolizing their solidarity with Israel.
However, not all fans were on board with this move.
As news of the Bengals’ stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict spread, a chorus of dissent began to emerge on social media.
Here’s how fans responded:
“Cringey watching NFL get into politics. Just following whatever the main stream media in America portrays.”
Cringey watching NFL get into politics. Just following whatever the main stream media in America portrays
— LG #FlyEaglesFly #LakeShow (@Zentotic) October 10, 2023
“Noooooo guys wrong side.”
noooooo guys wrong side
— LordchunkybunsDEO (@AngelCa71778783) October 11, 2023
“WE STAND WITH PALESTINE.”
WE STAND WITH PALESTINE 🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸
— Ayoub Derouiche (@ayoubderouiche) October 10, 2023
“Will they change it to red, black, and green to show support for the innocent children that died in Gaza?”
Will they change it to red, black, and green to show support for the innocent children that died in Gaza?
— Adam (@Finnese34) October 11, 2023
“I’d like to take a moment and remind everyone that Israel started this. This whole “palestine and hamas started this” narrative is disgusting.”
Id like to take a moment and remind everyone that Israel started this. This whole “palestine and hamas started this” narrative is disgusting. https://t.co/Qwl2CLpyFP
— Don Cody (@DragonsAr3Cool) October 11, 2023
“Bum ass franchise. No wonder they suck.”
Bum ass franchise. No wonder they suck https://t.co/IdlcWQG8Uo
— Zohaib Nadeemullah (@zeb_67) October 11, 2023
“Trash organization.”
Trash organization https://t.co/qBlpjxD8ar
— Gabi Musallam (@FlabiJabiGabi) October 11, 2023
“They are surely proud of how Israel reacts with zero humanity. Good job!”
They are surely proud of how Israel reacts with zero humanity. Good job!
— E〽️re (@EK3586) October 11, 2023
In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Gaza Strip and Israel have remained at the forefront of global attention since the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in 2005.
The political landscape was irrevocably altered when Hamas, a Palestinian political and militant organization, secured control of the Gaza Strip following the 2006 elections and subsequent civil unrest in 2007.
This seismic shift marked the onset of a protracted struggle, further compounded by the Israeli and Egyptian blockade of Gaza since 2007.
Termed by Human Rights Watch as an “open-air prison,” the Gaza Strip has languished under this prolonged blockade, which severely restricts the flow of people, goods, and essential resources in and out of the territory.
In a situation where access to food, water, electricity, and other necessities is largely dictated by Israeli authorities, the economic hardships endured by Gaza’s residents have been staggering, generating ongoing grievances that serve as a focal point for further conflict.
In 2023, the situation in the region took a perilous turn, with a series of violent flare-ups escalating tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Tragically, prior to these clashes, both combatants and civilians on both sides experienced heavy casualties. I
sraeli forces were reported to have claimed the lives of at least 247 Palestinians, while Palestinian attacks took the lives of 32 Israelis and two foreign nationals.
Simultaneously, 2023 witnessed the ascent of a far-right government in Israel, which embarked on an aggressive campaign of settlement construction in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
These actions not only raised concerns on the international stage but also led to a surge in Israeli settler attacks in the West Bank, displacing hundreds of Palestinian families and adding further fuel to an already raging fire of discontent.
Tensions in the region reached a critical point with the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem emerging as a flashpoint.
This holy site, one of great significance to both Muslims and Jews, became a hotbed of clashes to shape the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
