Famous Pakistani personality and former cricketer Shahid Khan Afridi has categorically rejected the claim that he had supported a pro-Israeli event calling for the release of Israeli hostages.
Taking to the social media platform X, he explained the context of his photos with some pro-Israeli people. Afridi stated that while walking on a street in Manchester, these individuals approached him and requested a selfie. At that time, he was unaware of their identities and considered them fans.
Afridi clarified that he did not attend the “Friends of Israel” event, and the picture on Instagram does not signify his support for Israel. Rather, his support is for innocent Palestinians.
He wrote, “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. Unbelievable! Please don’t believe everything that is uploaded.”
Afridi added that the photo does not show his support for any situation where “human lives are at stake.”
“Seeing innocent lives in Palestine suffer is truly heartbreaking. Any photo or association shared in Manchester does not reflect my support for any situation where human lives are at stake. I take pictures with fans from all over the globe, and this situation was no different,” he concluded.
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Earlier, the “NW Friends of Israel” account on Instagram shared Afridi’s picture with two of its officials, claiming: “Pakistani international cricketer @SAfridiOfficial stopped to offer his support for our call to release the hostages at our NWFOI vigil last Sunday in Manchester.”
Fatima Bhutto, granddaughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto also shared the post and reacted to the picture.
On the other hand, NW Friends of Israel and some other users on X have disagreed with Afridi’s stance, claiming that Afridi was fully aware of the situation and that it is not true he was trapped. They allege that he intentionally participated in the event.
.@RMSalih sorry to disappoint but there were many witnesses and I can certainly verify this took place as stated. He even gave us his Insta info to follow him. It would be a very odd thing to make up, no point! https://t.co/M3mjoRKUHD
— Doe#bringthemhome ???????????????????????? (@DoeSolomon1) June 19, 2024
.@SAfridiOfficial do you not want the hostages released?! You asked for a picture with your own phone of us with the placards in the background and then posed for a selfie with our hostage leaflets calling for the release of all the Israeli hostages held by Hamas. OWN your… https://t.co/NBcQD5VQOg
— NW Friends of Israel (@NorthWestFOI) June 19, 2024
