Tottenham fans release balloons to demand release for Emily Damari and hostages

Tottenham Hotspur fans released hundreds of yellow balloons to raise awareness of the last British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari and the other hundred captives in Gaza during Thursday’s night Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.

They have been held for more than 440 days since being seized by terrorists on October 7 last year.

Itai Gal, a Spurs fan and head of the Stop The Hate campaign, emphasised the importance of the gesture, saying, “Today Spurs fans came together to show Mandy Damari that the British public has not forgotten Emily and expect our government to do everything possible to bring her home to her family.

"Emily is a massive Tottenham fan, and we won’t rest until she is free and back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It will not be a Merry Christmas until all of the hostages are home.”

Emily, 28, was abducted on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked the Kfar Aza kibbutz in southern Israel.

Reports indicate that she was shot in the hand and blindfolded before being taken into Gaza. Her mother, Mandy Damari, who has been campaigning tirelessly for her daughter's release, expressed her deep fear for Emily’s wellbeing: “I fear that she’s dead. And if she’s not dead, she’s not getting enough food to eat, she’s not able to wash herself, drink water, she could be ill.”

Mandy has been meeting politicians across the world and speaking publicly to keep her daughter’s story in the spotlight.

In addition to the yellow balloon release at Tottenham’s stadium, supporters have been holding weekly rallies, distributing flyers with images of Emily wearing a Spurs scarf and chanting, “She’s one of our own.”

Fans have also called on club chairman Daniel Levy to use his platform to advocate for Emily’s release.

One banner at the stadium read: “Daniel Levy, one of our own is a hostage in Gaza. Spurs must have her back now – Emily Damari. Bring her home!”