In a rare and moving display of solidarity, Arsenal and Tottenham fans joined forces during the North London Derby to call for Hamas to release Emily Damari, a British-Israeli citizen and Spurs fan, who has been held hostage in Gaza for 467 days.
It comes as Israel and Hamas finally agreed to a deal to bring about the phased release of hostages, along with a pause to 15 months of deadly fighting.
Emily, 28, was shot and kidnapped from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza on the morning of 7th October 2023. Her mother Mandy Damari, who was born and raised in Surrey, has spoken about how Emily was a dedicated Tottenham supporter who loved to attend their matches on family visits to the UK.
Mandy has been campaigning tirelessly for her daughter’s release, and has repeatedly called on the British government to do more to bring her home.
Fans from both sides posed for a joint photograph outside the stadium before kick-off and the area surrounding the ground has been covered with yellow ribbons, a symbol that signifies support for the hostages.
This symbolic gesture has become a regular occurrence at Tottenham’s home matches, with Spurs fans creating a chant in support of their fellow fan: “She’s one of our own, she’s one of our own, Emily Damari, bring her home”.