FA will announce plans to honour Israel victims before England friendly

The FA will announce plans on Thursday to mark the atrocities in Israel at the friendly match between England and Australia, after leading Jewish figures within the game urged them to act.

As the leader of the opposition, Sir Keir Starmer, said he believed the Wembley arch should be illuminated in the colours of the Israeli flag following attacks by Hamas across the country last weekend, pressure grew on the FA to break the silence that has been consistent across the professional game this week.

The Guardian understands that senior executives within football who are Jewish reached out to the FA on Wednesday to urge it to speak up or in some way commemorate the loss of life in the Hamas attacks, with the numbers dead now estimated at more than 1,200.

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The FA customarily does not confirm plans for tributes or memorials further than 24 hours out from a match, but the Guardian understands that a plan will be announced on Thursday. The Three Lions play on Friday night and then on Tuesday against Italy.

Speaking at the Labour party conference, Starmer said he felt it was right that the arch should be lit blue and white, the colours of Israel’s flag, as a gesture to show solidarity with the country’s people.

“I do think they should be on the arch because I think the message has to go out that we stand with Israel, the UK stands with Israel, and that is a manifestation of that support,” he told LBC radio.

The government is also encouraging sports bodies to pay their respects, with the department for culture, media and sport writing to various governing bodies suggesting they pay tribute in an appropriate manner at forthcoming events.

The letter read: “In the light of the attacks in Israel on behalf of the secretary of state we would encourage you to mark the events in line with previous events where sport has come together.”