German soccer clubs Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen led tributes on Monday, marking the anniversary of the October 7 massacre, voicing strong support for Israel and the release of hostages held in Gaza.
Borussia Dortmund shared a message on social media, mourning the victims and calling for peace in the Middle East. "A year ago, Hamas brought death and suffering to Israel and sparked a war that continues to this day," read a statement on the club's official German-language X account, paying tribute to Dortmund fan Netta Epstein, who was killed in the attack. "We mourn the victims, and our thoughts are with the hostages. Against terror, on the side of all peace-seekers in the Middle East. Bring them (the hostages) home."
The strong bond between Borussia Dortmund and Israel was forged in the aftermath of the October 7 massacre. In November, ahead of the highly anticipated Der Klassiker match between Dortmund and Bayern Munich, Israeli fans raised funds to fly children from Israeli border communities affected by fighting to the game, offering them a brief escape from the tensions of war. The children toured the stadium, visited the club's museum and met with Die Schwarzgelben's management before attending a Shabbat reception with Dortmund’s Jewish community.
In a show of solidarity, the club also held a moment of silence and a special announcement before their first home game following the massacre—a tribute that stood out in contrast to many other European clubs.
Werder Bremen also marked the massacre's one-year anniversary, condemning the attack and the ongoing violence. "One year ago today, the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas launched a brutal attack on southern Israel, targeting civilians and visitors in the region. Over 1,200 people were murdered, and more than 200 were taken hostage and transported to the Gaza Strip. This reignited a decades-long conflict that continues to this day, claiming thousands of lives with no end or clear resolution in sight.," the club said in a statement on its official website, calling for a peaceful resolution.
Over the past year, the club has carried out tributes for Maccabi Haifa fan Inbar Hyman, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival and killed in captivity, and for Bremen fan Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose death in captivity was later confirmed.
"We were shocked to hear about the death of the Israeli Bremen fan after being held captive for nearly a year. A video of him from captivity in April gave his family and friends hope, but sadly it was not realized," the club lamented in a statement after learning about Goldberg-Polin's death.
2 View gallery
Werder Bremen fans pay tribute to slain Gaza hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin
(Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
"Since October 7, we’ve known Hersh as a young man who loved soccer and life and wanted nothing but coexistence among all people—especially in the Middle East and Jerusalem. Rest in peace, we will not forget you."
Bayern Munich joined the tributes, hosting a memorial event at Munich's Jewish synagogue. The Bavarian club had previously invited Israeli families of hostages to a Bundesliga match against Heidenheim. "Bayern wants to send a clear message against terror and express full solidarity with the hostages, the families, and Israel," the announcer declared at halftime.