Mesut Özil: Sharp criticism of anti-Israel Instagram post

DER SPIEGEL Mesut Özil: Sharp criticism of anti-Israel Instagram post 1 hour • 2 minutes reading time The former football player Mesut Özil has sparked criticism with an Instagram story. The map of Israel can be seen, but the name "Israel" is crossed out with a red cross, and "Palestine" is written underneath. The 2014 world champion is thus openly speaking out against Israel's right to exist, which is considered a matter of state in Germany. Özil had previously expressed his solidarity with the Palestinians several times on social media. In response to the Instagram story, CDU politician Julia Klöckner now demanded on the X platform that Özil should return the Silver Laurel Leaf, the highest state award for athletes. At first she had incorrectly spoken of the Federal Cross of Merit. In 2010, Özil was awarded the Silver Laurel Leaf together with other national players at Bellevue Palace for his success at the World Cup in South Africa and his services to the Federal Republic of Germany. The Jewish sports association Makkabi Germany has also criticized Özil's Instagram story and demanded that the German Football Association (DFB) distance itself from it. "Of course we would like the DFB to comment on the matter and publicly distance itself from Özil," said Makkabi President Alon Meyer. He described Özil's post as "anti-Israel" and accused him of being a supporter of a closed anti-Semitic worldview. Özil's proximity to the "Grey Wolves" "Unspeakable, unbelievable," said CSU General Secretary Martin Huber about Özil's latest post in "Bild." With his open anti-Semitism and his proximity to the Grey Wolves, Özil is "a prime example of failed integration," added the 46-year-old politician. Özil caused a stir last year with a photo that showed him with a tattoo on his chest with three crescent moons and a howling wolf. These symbols are associated with the "Grey Wolves," a right-wing extremist Turkish movement. They advocate "ethnic nationalism," idealize a Greater Turkish Empire, and agitate against minorities, especially against Alevis, Kurds, and Armenians.