FA branded 'spineless' for refusing to light up Wembley arch in Israel's colours
The Football Association has been branded "spineless" and condemned for its "weak response" to the Hamas attack in Israel after announcing the Wembley Stadium arch will not be illuminated in blue and white to represent the Israeli flag.
England and Australia players will wear black armbands during their friendly match on Friday night, with a moment of silence also observed before kick-off.
In a statement, the FA said it will "remember the innocent victims of the devastating events in Israel and Palestine".
"Our thoughts are with them, and their families and friends in England and Australia and with all the communities who are affected by this ongoing conflict.
"We stand for humanity and an end to the death, violence, fear and suffering."
However, the decision has been questioned by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the largest and second oldest Jewish communal organisation in the UK.
In a statement, the organisation, also known as the Board of Deputies, made reference to the Bataclan massacre, when 90 people were murdered at a nightclub during the Paris attacks in November 2015.
In response, the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, was played at every Premier League stadium the following weekend.
The Jewish organisation said on Thursday: "When hundreds of innocent Israelis were murdered, raped and kidnapped in a coordinated terrorist campaign, unequalled since 9/11, the FA's response is 'to remember the victims of the conflicts in Israel and Palestine' and the Wembley arches will not be illuminated in blue and white.
"This weak response brings no credit to the FA."
The Chelsea Jewish Supporters' Group described the response as "spineless" in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said she was
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