Israeli
president Isaac Herzog has hailed Chelsea as a "force for good" in the
battle against antisemitism and racism.
President Herzog joined owner Roman Abramovich at Stamford Bridge on Sunday
to view artist Solomon Souza's installation 49 Flames.
British-Israeli artist Souza's project pays homage to Olympic athletes
murdered in the Holocaust, as part of Chelsea's long-running 'Say No To
Antisemitism' campaign.
Blues owner Abramovich followed up his rare trip to London last month to see
family by making an appearance at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, alongside
Israel's president.
Abramovich had previously only been spotted in London back in 2018, but his
recent visits offer another boost to a Chelsea side riding high at the top
of the Premier League.
President Herzog addressed guests at Stamford Bridge by praising Chelsea's
long-running work combating discrimination.
"In the face of rising antisemitism from all extremes, it is our
responsibility to stand up to all forms of racial and religious hate, to
speak out against extremism and discrimination," he said.
"And to educate the next generation about tolerance and mutual respect.
"Thank you, Roman Abramovich, Bruce Buck, leaders, players and members of
Chelsea, working together with you over the past few years has been a true
honour and pleasure, in combating antisemitism and saying no, saying no to
antisemitism.
"This has left me hopeful. Your football club is a shining example of how
sports and teams can be a force of good and for shaping a more tolerant
tomorrow.
"Thank you all for recruiting your influence in sports, perhaps the most
powerful instrument for reaching the greater public, as an educational tool
against antisemitism and racism and for the advancement of mutual acceptance
and diversity."
Chelsea supporters will hope Abramovich's recent visits to London and
Stamford Bridge could now pave the way for the Russian-Israeli owner to
attend a match in west London.
Abramovich was on hand to watch Chelsea lift the Champions League title in
Porto with the 1-0 win over Manchester City in May.
The Chelsea owner is as passionate about fighting racism and anti-Semitism
as he is driving the Blues to success on the field.
Abramovich also visited the Holocaust Galleries at the Imperial War Museum
on Sunday morning, having previously donated funds to the project.
Holocaust survivor and former British Olympic weightlifter Sir Ben Helfgott
was among the guests at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
President Herzog paid tribute to the former Olympian ahead of his 92nd
birthday on Monday, in extolling the powers of sport in fighting hate.
"The emotions are so mixed and so special and I think it has to do with this
mixture with a love of sport with memory and lessons for the future," said
President Herzog.
"Sports have their power to bring out the best in the human spirit.
"Sports give expression to the human potential, to determination, discipline
and team work.
"Sports put competitors on an equal playing field and allows for positive
and healthy negotiations between neighbourhoods and nations.
"At the same time the culture and politics of sports often time brings out
the worst in our natures as we have seen over and over again in racist and
antisemitic incidents inside and outside stadiums.
"The Jewish athletes portrayed in Solomon Souza's stunning 49 Flames exhibit
represents the strength and beauty of human will, performance and commitment
to excellence, and a combination of pride in the country they represented
and in their Jewish heritage."
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