Jewish community in Manchester criticises City coach for language and “provocative” remarks
Manchester City boss Guardiola has been warned by the Jewish community in the Greater Manchester region to focus on football after making comments about the conflict in Gaza.
Guardiola has spoken passionately over the past week on conflicts around the world, including Sudan and Gaza, on which he used the phrase “”genocide in Palestine”.
Gaza and Israel have been locked in an intense conflict in the Middle East.
“We have repeatedly asked for prominent individuals to be mindful about the words they use given how Jewish people have had to endure attacks across the globe,” the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region said in a statement on X.
“Pep Guardiola is a football manager. While his humanitarian reflections may be well intentioned, he should focus on football.
“Manchester City is being let down by him repeatedly straying into commentary on international affairs. This is the second time in a week he has decided to offer his controversial views on the Middle East conflict.”
Guardiola skipped his press conference last Friday ahead of City’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham, travelling instead to Barcelona where he gave a speech in front of 12,000 people.
Ahead of City’s second-leg tie against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup semifinals, he was also asked about why speaking on those conflicts means so much to him.
Guardiola said that seeing images of the conflict from all around the world “hurts” him and that he will continue to use his position to speak up for a better society.
“The genocide in Palestine, what’s happening in Ukraine, what’s happening all around the world – in Sudan, everywhere, it is happening in front of us,” Guardiola said. “Do you want to see it?
“Protecting the human being is the only thing we have. Right now, we kill each other, for what?”
City’s head coach added: “When I see the images, I am sorry, it hurts. It hurts me. That is why in every position I can help speaking up to be a better society, I will try and be there.”
The Jewish Representative Council’s statement further read: “It’s especially galling given his total failure to use his significant platform to display any solidarity with the Jewish community subjected to a terrorist attack a few miles from the Etihad Stadium or the Barcelona community reeling from antisemitic violence close to where he once engaged in remarks we believe to be provocative.
“We implore Mr Guardiola to be more careful in his future language given the significant risk faced by our community.”
