On 10th July, Palestinian footballer Mahmoud Sarsak returned to his home in Gaza after being freed from an Israeli prison. He had been held in an Israeli prison for three years without charge or trial and without visits from his family.
Mahmoud staged a three month hunger strike that brought him to the edge of death, which he ended after Israel met his demands and agreed to free him.
As a member of the Palestinian national football team, Mahmoud attracted worldwide support, including from international players’ association FIFPro and numerous world-renowned football players and athletes.
In Scotland, a protest was held by Palestinian solidarity activists in support of Mahmoud at the Scotland v Israel women’s football match that took place in June. The protest was filmed by Trish Hill.