Borussia in the storm: remember on social media an Israeli boy killed on 7 October but forget another fan who died under the bombs in Gaza

Intermittent recall by the Borussia Dortmund is exposing the yellow and black club to a lot of criticism via social media. On X, on the occasion of the first anniversary of his death, Borussia remembered one of their Israeli fans killed by Hamas in the attacks of October 7, 2023. However, the German club has received criticism for ignoring the death of another fan, killed by an Israeli bombing in Gaza on Sunday.

The post about Netta Epstein

In his post, seen by over 6 million users, Dortmund wanted to commemorate the death of Netta Epstein: “We mourn the victims and think of the hostages. Against terrorism, on the side of all the people who love peace in the Middle East”. The close bond between Borussia Dortmund and the family of Netta Epstein, who was tragically killed on 7 October 2023, reached its peak when her parents, Ayelet and Uri Felshintei, and two sisters were guests of honor at the final of Champions League. “The solidarity of Dortmund and all of German football with Israel, especially after October 7, is surprising,” Ayelet, Netta’s mother, said on that occasion. “So it makes sense that most Israelis support Dortmund.” Netta was in her home in Kfar Aza when Hamas terrorists broke in on the morning of October 7. The boy was killed by a grenade that the terrorists had thrown into the small apartment, but he shielded his girlfriend, who was hiding behind him, with his body. Netta was a die-hard fan of Beitar Jerusalem, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund. He was also an excellent goalkeeper who played for Hapoel Beer Sheva’s youth team for two years.

Controversy via social media

On Sunday 6 October a video circulated in which a journalist reported the discovery of a yellow and black T-shirt Marco Reusformer Dortmund footballer, among the rubble of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Mosque which had given refuge to various refugees, near Deir el-Balah, in the Gaza Strip. However, Borussia did not give any news of this tragedy on its social channels and exposed itself to numerous criticisms from X and Instagram users.