FANS: WE ENDURED HORROR, WITNESSING LOOTING, BURNING OF HOMES, AND THE LOSS OF OUR LOVED ONES. THANK YOU, SERBIA, FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FRIENDSHIP. GRATITUDE TO BELGRADE FOR ITS HOSPITALITY.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas and other armed groups from Gaza conducted an attack against Israel, launching rockets towards the southern and central parts of the country. The armed groups breached the Gaza border fence into Israeli territory through land, air, and sea, resulting in injuries, brutalities, and casualties among Israeli forces, as well as Israeli and foreign civilians. Over 1,200 Israeli and foreign nationals were killed, and more than 5,400 were injured. Additionally, more than 200 individuals were abducted to Gaza, including babies, children, and the elderly.

The Israeli army spokesperson labeled October 7th as “by far the worst day in Israeli history.” U.S. President Joe Biden characterized it as “the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.”

In the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, three Israeli basketball teams have hosted games in Belgrade, Serbia. Hapoel from Tel Aviv received support from its 160 fans during a match against the Reyer basketball club from Venice. While Hapoel fans and management were in Belgrade, the Institute for Politics and Economy of Southeast Europe conducted an interview with the fans of Hapoel Tel Aviv, led by Dušan Žarković, the Executive Director of IPESE.