Shortly after Friends of Israel (FOI), a grassroots organization that supports Israel, uploaded a photo of the celebrity cricket player, claiming he “stopped to offer his support for our call to release the hostages,” Shahid Afridi refuted reports that he supports the Zionist movement.
Afridi is seen standing with two guys in Manchester in a photo that was uploaded on Wednesday; one of the men was holding a poster regarding Israeli infants that were reportedly abducted by Hamas. The hashtag #BringThemHome, which calls for the release of the captives that Hamas abducted on October 7, is prominently displayed on the leaflet.
The organization claims that Afridi was photographed alongside FOI’s co-chair and deputy chair. They also congratulated him for offering support.
In response to the incredulous outcry, Afridi advised people to be skeptical of whatever they see posted online.
Shahid Afridi said, “Imagine strolling down a street in Manchester (UK) and so-called fans approach you for a selfie. You oblige, and moments later, they upload it as some form of Zionist endorsement.”
According to Afridi, he frequently snaps photos with admirers from over the world, and this instance was no exception. In addition, the cricket player prayed for freedom, peace, and a “end to this war.”
In response to Shahid Afridi’s claims, FOI said that he had consented to take a photograph with the group holding their flyers and had even used his own camera to snap a photo of them holding posters announcing their captive.
The cricket player quickly responded, saying he didn’t agree with the FOI’s tweet and that he thought the selfie was taken with a fan.
The FOI questioned whether Afridi did not want the captives released as the back and forth went on.
They persisted in saying that Afridi approached them and consented to take a photo with them holding captive pamphlets in front of his face in a subsequent tweet.