Shahid Afridi comes under fire for posing with Israeli protesters in UK

Former Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi has come under fire after his picture with Israeli demonstrators protesting for the release of alleged hostages surfaced on social media. 

Afridi claimed the photo was misunderstood and that he did not know about the people he was posing with for the photograph.

An Israeli organisation, North West Friends of Israel, shared a photo on X, showing protesters holding pro-Israel flyers and placards while posing with the former all-rounder.

“Pakistani international cricketer Shahid Afridi stopped to offer his support for our call to release the hostages at our NWFOI vigil last Sunday in Manchester. Shahid is pictured with NWFOI co-chair Raphi Bloom and deputy chair Bernie Yaffe.  Thank you for your support, Shahid!” the post read.

x.com

Pakistani international cricketer @SAfridiOfficial stopped to offer his support for our call to release the hostages at our NWFOI vigil last Sunday in Manchester.

Shahid is pictured with NWFOI co Chair Raphi Bloom & deputy Chair Bernie Yaffe.

Thank you for your support,… pic.twitter.com/F05wBSnpoo

— NW Friends of Israel (@NorthWestFOI) June 19, 2024

The picture sparked backlash, with many cricket fans calling on Shahid Afridi to clarify his position and express solidarity with Palestine.

A few hours later after the post went viral, Shahid Afridi issued a clarification of his social media accounts.

“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.”

“Seeing innocent lives in Palestine suffer is truly heartbreaking," he explained, adding that the photo does not imply any support for any cause "where human lives are at stake."

Afridi maintained that he routinely takes pictures with fans worldwide, and this instance was no exception.

x.com

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.

Seeing innocent lives in Palestine…

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) June 19, 2024

The Israeli organisation disputed Afridi's clarification, claiming he "approached and spoke with the protesters," expressed solidarity with their cause, and even alleged that the cricketer took the picture himself.

x.com

.@RmSalih this pic was taken on a TEN second timer with hostage flyers and posters in it and behind it. @SAfridiOfficial APPROACHED us, told us he he and been in NYC at the T20 and took a picture with HIS phone and ours. He KNEW what he was doing. https://t.co/BcndZaWZUB pic.twitter.com/UnKF5XNK2Y

— NW Friends of Israel (@NorthWestFOI) June 19, 2024

Afridi accused the Israeli organisation of sharing inaccurate information and asked them to delete the picture.

x.com

Nice try NWFOI. This was just a selfie with what I thought was a fan. I do not endorse your Tweet. As a Muslim I pray for peace across the world. Please delete this post as it's not accurate!

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) June 19, 2024

NW Friends of Israel shared a video on X, purporting to show Afridi engaging with protesters about their concerns. However, Afridi cannot be seen in the video.

x.com

➡️ When @SAfridiOfficial approached US he was wearing a mask.
➡️ We had NO idea who he was. We repeat. HE APPROACHED US.
➡️ He started talking to one of our group who was handing out leaflets.
➡️ HE took off his mask and HE asked for pictures by walking to the main group to… pic.twitter.com/aAfCZDpDBX

— NW Friends of Israel (@NorthWestFOI) June 20, 2024