Werder Bremen made a heartfelt tribute on Thursday to Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who is still being held captive by Hamas in Gaza and is a fan of the German club. The club displayed a green flag with Goldberg-Polin’s picture outside their home stadium, with the words "Let Hersh Free" written on it.
The club shared the tribute on social media, adding the caption: "The message is clear, and from today everyone can see it outside the Weserstadion - let Hersh free."
On October 7, Goldberg-Polin was abducted by Hamas terrorists to Gaza after attending the Nova music festival at Kibbutz Re’im and was severely injured in his hand by a grenade thrown into a shelter where he and others were staying to avoid rocket fire. Hamas posted a video in April where he was seen with his left arm severed.
This was not the first tribute Werder Bremen has made for Israel and the hostages since October 7. Three weeks after the terrorist attack, the club’s fans held up a large green banner in Hebrew that read "Always together," and also held heart-shaped signs with the names of the hostages.
The fans also announced a fundraising campaign for the families of the hostages. "Werder Bremen stands for understanding, tolerance, respect, and solidarity – even beyond our borders," the club said. "The suffering and violence must stop. We wish for peace for the people in Israel and the civilian population suffering in Gaza and the West Bank."