19.10.2026 12:10
World-renowned coach Pep Guardiola addressed the world in a video he released for Palestine under Israel's attacks. Emphasizing that the civilians who lost their lives in Gaza are not just numbers, Guardiola said, "They are not dead; they are people who have been massacred." Drawing attention to the suffering experienced by the Palestinian people, the Spanish coach called for solidarity with the words, "Staying silent today is also a way of taking sides."
Spanish coach Pep Guardiola published a video on his social media account to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza under Israeli attacks. Guardiola, who used striking expressions regarding the suffering of the Palestinian people, called on the international community not to remain silent. The experienced coach, who particularly brought the drama experienced by children to the agenda, emphasized that solidarity with Palestine must continue without interruption.
“THEY ARE NOT DEAD, THEY WERE MURDERED”
In the video he published on his Instagram account, Guardiola drew attention to the civilians who lost their lives in Gaza and stated that what happened cannot be explained by statistics alone.
Guardiola said, “They are not dead, they are people who were murdered. They are not just numbers. They are lives with names, faces, families, dreams and memories. They are not civilian casualties; they are girls and boys. When we stop calling them by their names and accept a language that conceals the pain, we begin to lose our humanity.” The Spanish coach’s emphasis that the identities and life stories of the people who lost their lives must not be forgotten stood out in his statements.
“WE ARE GOING THROUGH A DARK PERIOD IN HUMAN HISTORY”
Evaluating what is happening in Gaza as a great tragedy for humanity, Guardiola drew attention especially to the conditions children face.
Stating that the world is watching what is happening but the suffering of the Palestinian people continues, Guardiola said, “We see girls and boys in Gaza searching for their parents under the rubble. We watch their cries for help, their hunger, their being left alone. We witness them losing everything before they even have a chance to grow up.”
The experienced coach emphasized that it is unacceptable for children to have to struggle with the consequences of war.
“THEIR PAIN IS NOT FOREIGN”
Saying that the suffering of the Palestinian people concerns all humanity, Guardiola gave a message of solidarity in his statement. Guardiola said, “This hell continues, and along with it, the dehumanization of the Palestinian people continues. Their lives are as valuable as ours. Their pain is not foreign. Let us not forget; solidarity with Palestine cannot be paused. Our responsibility cannot be paused either.”
The Spanish coach pointed out that what is happening in Palestine should not be seen only as a regional issue and drew attention to shared responsibility regarding human rights and solidarity.
HE DREW ATTENTION TO THE LOSS OF LIFE IN GAZA
Stating that the Israeli government has killed more than 74 thousand people in Gaza, Guardiola noted that the entry of humanitarian aid into the region continues to be blocked. In addition to the destruction in Gaza, Guardiola also touched on developments in the West Bank and stated that Palestinians’ homes are being demolished and their forced displacement continues.
The famous coach stated that the humanitarian crisis is not limited to the recent attacks and that the Palestinian people have been struggling with displacement and uncertainty for many years.
“WE ADMIRE THE RESILIENCE OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE”
Noting that millions of Palestinian refugees have been living under difficult conditions for decades, Guardiola drew attention to the resilience shown by the Palestinian people. Guardiola said, “For millions of Palestinian refugees, the pain did not just begin. For decades they have lived amid displacement, violence, loss, trauma, uncertainty and injustice, and yet they do not give up. We admire the resilience and determination of the Palestinian people.”
Emphasizing children’s right to grow up in a safe environment, the Spanish coach continued his message with the words, “No child should grow up learning to survive before learning to live.”
“BEING SILENT TODAY IS ALSO A FORM OF TAKING SIDES”
At the end of his statement, Guardiola called on the international public and said that what is happening in Palestine must not be ignored. Guardiola said, “Being silent today is also a form of taking sides. But we cannot look the other way. Palestine matters. Palestine needs justice and peace. Now please, continue to speak about Palestine and defend humanity.”
In the Spanish coach’s message, the emphasis that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza must be kept on the agenda and that solidarity with the Palestinian people must continue stood out.
A MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY FOR PALESTINE FROM THE FOOTBALL WORLD
The statement by Guardiola, one of the well-known coaches of world football, added a new one to calls for solidarity with Palestine from the sports world.
In his message, Guardiola addressed not only the loss of life in Gaza but also forced displacements in the West Bank and the problems Palestinian refugees have faced for many years.
The famous coach stated that the Palestinian people’s demand for justice and peace must not be forgotten and concluded his statement with a call to defend humanity.