By: Rowaida Mahmoud
Social media users spoke this week about Zara’s “The Jacket” advertising campaign which provoked great wrath; Hamas Military Spokesperson, Abu Obaida, announcing that Israeli detainees and hostages will be freed only under the conditions of Hamas and Al-Ahly snatching the Club of the Year award at the CAF Awards 2023 in the Moroccan city of Marrakech.
ZARA’s campaign provokes great wrath
Zara’s “The Jacket” advertising campaign provoked great wrath this week on social media as it used photos said to be inspired by the Israeli outrageous war on Gaza. A model appeared with the kafan (a simple white cloth Muslims are wrapped up in after death).
Another model appeared in a photo carrying another model wrapped up in a white plastic piece, looking like the Kafan, and the background of the photo consists of damaged statues, broken rocks and slabs made of Gypsum. The photos resemble the Palestinians’ tragedy.
Zara removed the remaining photos after the severe criticising on social media and complaints presented to the UK advertising watchdog.
The UK advertising watchdog said that it received 50 complaints on social media concerning Zara’s campaign. Someone commented on social media, saying, “Zara danced on Palestinians’ remains through its campaign.”
“Zara regrets that misunderstanding and we reaffirm our deep respect towards everyone,” Zara said. Some social users on X, formerly known as Twitter, called for the boycott of Zara.
A video widespread on social media showcasing some people storming the Zara store, covering their mouths with duct tape and carrying photos of the Palestinians killed children and small white Kafans, looking like children in the Kafans.
US President Biden’s staff called for permanent ceasefire outside White House
A vigil was held in front of the White House by Biden administration staffers and political appointees, calling for a permanent ceasefire.
They carried banners, in which “President Biden, Your staff demands a ceasefire” was written.
Candles were also lit spelling out “Ceasefire” and called the war “unacceptable”.
Almost 50 staff members participated in the vigil, with most donning sunglasses and masks to hide their identities.
During the vigil, flowers were set in memory of the victims in Gaza, while the names of Palestinians killed since the end of the humanitarian pause on December 1 were read aloud from a 33-page list.
Abu Obaida:Neither Israel nor its supporters will free hostages without conditional exchange
Hamas Military Spokesperson, Abu Obaida, said that Israeli detainees and hostages will be freed only in the case of the conditional exchange that Hamas announced since Tofan Al Aqsa Operation (Al-Aqsa storm).
“Neither Netanyahu nor its government or the Zionist of the White House can free even one soldier, and the failed trial proved this,” Abu Obaida said, referring to the failure of their trail to release one Israeli soldier days ago. The solider was killed.
“The temporary ceasefire proved the credibility of Hamas; none of our enemy’s hostages were freed, and they won’t be released except under our conditions,” Abu Obaida added.
Final lists of Global Soccer Awards 2023
The final list of the 2023 “ Global Soccer” was announced. Egyptian king Mo Salah is among the 11 players nominated for the Best Men’s Award.
Egypt’s Al-Ahly also is in the final lists of the Best Middle Club Award and the Best Men’s Club Award.
Mo is also competing with Messi and Ronaldo in the final list of the Fans’ Favourite player Award; the list includes 5 players, Mo, Messi, Ronaldo, Bellingham and Neymar.
The goalkeeper of the Egypt national football team and Al-Ahly club, Mohamed El Shenawy, exists among nominees for the Best Middle East Player Award, which includes Salem Al-Dawsari, Karim Benzema, Mohamed El Shenawy, Riyad Mahrez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 14th edition of the Global Soccer will be held on 19 January, 2024 in line with the International Sports Conference.
Egypt’s Al-Ahly claims best club in Africa
Egypt’s Al-Ahly snatched the Club of the Year award at the CAF Awards 2023 in the Moroccan city of Marrakech.
After lifting their record 11th CAF Champions League title, which was accompanied by being Egyptian Premier League and Egyptian Cup champions, Africa’s most successful football was duly rewarded by the CAF for their continued excellence in flying the Africa football flag high.
The last time the Red devils won the accolade was exactly a decade ago when they won it in 2013.
This year’s accolade marks the sixth time that the Egyptian giants are crowned the best club of the year at the CAF Awards, which sees them extend their record as the club with the most CAF Club of the Year awards.
Mahmoud Abdel Moneim ‘Kahraba’, Al-Ahly striker, also won the Best Goal Award in 2023, for the goal he scored against Al-Hilal of Sudan in the last edition of the African Champions League.
AL-Ahly’s award is coupled with Percy Tau’s accolade of being awarded CAF Interclub Player of the year, according to the CAF’s official website.
