Israeli Footballer Responds to German Deal Fallout: “I Won’t Be Branded as Hateful”
Despite reports of a finalized deal, German club Fortuna Düsseldorf has officially announced it will not be signing Israeli striker Shon Weissman, citing deep internal review and intense fan protests.
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Israeli striker Shon Weissman (29), currently with Granada CF, will not be joining Fortuna Düsseldorf in the German 2. Bundesliga.
The club stated today:
“We conducted an in-depth evaluation of the player's potential signing, but ultimately decided not to proceed.”
This announcement follows widespread backlash over social media posts attributed to Weissman in the aftermath of the October 7th Hamas attacks in Israel. According to BILD, although Weissman’s transfer was nearly finalized, including medical checks and a visit to club facilities, public pressure and controversy surrounding past online activity led to the deal's collapse.
Weissman reportedly posted and liked comments on social media calling to "erase Gaza" and to “drop 200 tons of bombs,” while also endorsing posts suggesting "there are no innocents." These sparked outrage among Fortuna Düsseldorf supporters, with online petitions and demands to cancel the deal quickly gaining traction.
A now-deleted official club response on social media, which attempted to defend the signing by saying “one shouldn't judge a person by their Wikipedia entry,” only fueled the anger.
Amid growing unrest, the club’s board held a special meeting Tuesday morning, ultimately deciding to cancel the transfer.
Sporting director Klaus Allofs confirmed:
“We evaluated the player thoroughly but ultimately chose not to proceed with the signing.”
Weissman Responds: “I Will Not Be Portrayed as a Hater”
Following the announcement, Weissman issued a statement via Instagram, writing:
“I am the son of a nation still mourning the horrors of October 7th. That black day, when entire families were murdered, kidnapped, and brutally humiliated, remains an open wound, for me as a person, an Israeli, and an athlete representing his country. It is both possible and necessary to oppose harm to innocent civilians on both sides.”
He continued:
“But I will not allow myself to be portrayed as someone who promotes hate based on three likes and one comment that I immediately deleted. If that’s hard to accept, just look back at what happened on October 7th. I accept criticism, but it pains me that no one took the full picture into account.”
Weissman emphasized his adherence to sportsmanship and human values, concluding:
“In times of national and personal trauma, I continue to uphold humanity, mutual respect, and the spirit of sport. Loyalty to one’s people is never up for debate, especially when your nation is still burying its dead. I will proudly continue to carry the Israeli flag wherever I play.”
Agent’s Statement: “A Witch Hunt with No Room for Regret”
Weissman’s agent, Boaz Goren, added:
“These past hours have been extremely tough for Shon. He understands that in today’s reality, even a single like can carry professional consequences, with no real way to defend yourself.”
Goren stated that Weissman had shown remorse in multiple conversations since the incident:
“He always expressed regret about the content he seemingly supported during a time of deep pain and grief. But the internet today is a dangerous place, there’s no room for mistakes or for regret when the public launches a witch hunt.”
He concluded with personal praise:
“I can vouch for Shon’s character, his kind heart, belief in humanity, and decency. He is the last person to be portrayed as hateful. His next professional challenge is already on the horizon, and nothing will stop this incredible journey, from someone who came from nothing and became something, always humble, always caring. That’s Shon.”