The footage, shared over the weekend, seemingly depicts Menashe Zalka discharging a weapon while in military attire, reigniting demands for disciplinary measures.
Video of Menashe Zalka in Lebanon operation surfaces online
The clip, initially aired by Channel 14 and subsequently confirmed by Al Jazeera, has fueled an ongoing discussion regarding the involvement of athletes in conflict zones.
The captain of an Israeli football team, Menashe Zalka, has sparked outrage after footage surfaced showing him firing a grenade alongside troops in southern Lebanon.
Calls for FIFA to take action against him have emerged. pic.twitter.com/rt6PcQTPRd— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 30, 2026
Zalka, who represents Hapoel Hadera, is observed alongside another soldier within what seems to be a damaged residential area. The specific location remains uncertain, although Al Jazeera indicates it occurred in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media sources have identified the 35-year-old as a reservist in the army’s paratrooper brigade. His military service isn’t new, as former Knesset member Dov Lipman stated that Zalka had previously participated in extended operations in Gaza.
Growing demands for FIFA to address Israeli football associations
Reactions from football communities were immediate. Officials associated with the Palestinian Football Association condemned the incident, while numerous online voices called out global organizations for their silence.
“Israel’s Channel 14 glorifies the trigger-happy captain of Hapoel Hadera,” PFA Vice President Susan Shalabi commented on X, referring to the video.
Israel’s Channel 14 glorifies the trigger-happy Captain of Hap’oel Khadera, Menashe’ Zelka, as he throws a grenade and fires in South Lebanon.#RacismInFootball #KickItOut #UEFA #FIFA #RedCardIsrael pic.twitter.com/hJ0Cmx9SLc
— Susan Shalabi (@SusanShalabiMol) March 28, 2026
Debate on past FIFA rulings and perceived double standards reemerges
FIFA faces renewed scrutiny, having recently fined the Israeli Football Association 150,000 Swiss francs for violations of anti-discrimination policies. However, the governing body has refrained from enacting a suspension.
Critics highlight inconsistencies, pointing to the rapid sanctions applied by UEFA and FIFA against Russian teams following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, contrasting it with their current stance on Israel.
Broader context: Gaza, Lebanon, and escalating tensions
The resurfacing of this video coincides with ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza and rising tensions involving Lebanon and Iran. There have also been persistent reports of violence in the occupied West Bank.
Online responses have varied, ranging from calls for bans to broader criticisms of football’s governing bodies. One commentator expressed, “kicking a ball on weekends, committing atrocities on weekdays.”
The soldier seen throwing grenades and firing in southern Lebanon is Israeli footballer and Hapoel Hadera captain Menashe Zalka.
FIFA is aware of Israeli players’ involvement in war crimes—yet remains inactive. Kicking a ball on weekends, committing atrocities on weekdays. https://t.co/IK7BGEW0CU— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) March 28, 2026
No formal disciplinary action has been announced against Zalka at this time. However, pressure is mounting, and the issue is far from resolution.
