“With You, I’m More”: Emily Damari’s Emotional Homecoming at Spurs Stadium

Emily Damari’s supporters were never going to let her slip quietly into the stands to watch her beloved Spurs.

The 28-year-old former hostage, British-Israeli dual citizen, and devoted Tottenham Hotspur fan had long dreamt of returning to the UK to see her team play. And on Sunday midday, that dream was realized, not with a whisper, but with thunderous applause.

Having spent 471 days in captivity after being shot and kidnapped by Hamas terrorists, her arrival outside the north London football club she loves was greeted with cheers, whistles, and standing ovations. A crowd of more than 200 people, organized by grassroots movement Stop the Hate, welcomed her with yellow T-shirts, Israeli flags, and bunches of yellow balloons and flowers, symbols of hope and solidarity.

As Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” and the Spurs chant “She’s one of our own” filled the air, the crowd parted to make way for Emily and her mother Mandy, who have become a symbol of resilience and strength for the Tottenham community and beyond. Supporters had campaigned for Emily’s release for over 15 months, never giving up.

“I’m happy to be here,” Emily told the crowd. “I want to give a special thanks to all the Jews in the diaspora, but especially to the UK Jewish community, who came out to support my mother and my family, campaigning tirelessly to help secure my release.”

She added: “Thank you to everyone who prayed for me, who shouted for me without really knowing me and keeping everything on the table all the time. I don’t really have the words, but I hope Spurs is going to win today! All of you are amazing. I’m home, finally, and with you, I’m more. It’s more than a home. It’s like a family. So thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU. Am Yisrael Chai!”

A spokesperson from Stop the Hate, which has organized numerous Spurs vigils for Emily, said: “We prayed for this day. We couldn’t wait for this day to happen. We weren’t sure if it ever would. And now it’s here. I think a lot of people are going to be overcome with emotion, and quite rightfully so.”