WATCH: Pep Guardiola’s Speech at Manchester University Draws Fire, “I See My Own Children in Gaza’s Pain”

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola ignited controversy during a speech accepting an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester, unleashing a scathing attack on Israel while ignoring Hamas’s terrorist atrocities. “It’s so painful to see what’s happening in Gaza. It hurts my whole body,” Guardiola declared, claiming his stance was “not about ideology” but “love for life” and “caring for others.” He lamented, “We see four-year-old boys and girls killed by a bomb or in a hospital that’s no longer a hospital, and think it’s none of our business, but beware, the next four- or five-year-olds will be ours.” Evoking his own children, he added, “I’m sorry, but when I think of Gaza’s children, I see my Maria, Marius, and Valentina. I’m so afraid.” Guardiola shared a parable of a bird dropping water on a forest fire, concluding, “The power lies not in size, but in choosing to refuse silence.”

Guardiola’s remarks, which omitted Hamas’s October 7th massacre and its use of Gaza’s hospitals as terror bases, drew sharp rebuke from Israel’s Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar. “You’re right, Pep. Europe’s children will be next for Islamist terror groups,” Zohar responded. “They’ve made clear that after Israel, they’ll target the free world. If Israel loses, you’re next.”

The speech exemplifies a disturbing trend of prominent figures amplifying Hamas propaganda under the guise of pro-Palestinian activism, fuelling antisemitism. Guardiola’s failure to condemn Hamas, which diverts aid to its 450-mile tunnel network while holding 55 hostages, only 20 of whom remain alive, tortured for 611 days, mirrors a broader pattern of selective outrage. In 2024, UK antisemitic incidents surged 96%, with 4,103 cases, per the Community Security Trust. Such rhetoric, ignoring Hamas’s execution of Gazan dissenters and 43,000 conflict deaths, risks emboldening terror and undermining peace efforts led by Israel to protect its citizens and liberate Palestinians from Hamas’s tyranny.