Freed British-Israeli hostage thanks Tottenham Hotspur for ‘incredible support’

A British-Israeli woman released by Hamas after 15 months in captivity has thanked her favourite football team Tottenham Hotspur for their “incredible support” during her ordeal.

Emily Damari was one of three hostages freed on Sunday after a ceasefire deal was agreed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The 28-year-old was taken from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza in Israel on the morning of Hamas’s attack on October 7 2023 and shot in the hand, losing two fingers, before being held in Gaza.

New pictures shared on Wednesday showed Ms Damari wearing a navy T-shirt and black cap while holding a scarf for Tottenham Hotspur, of whom she is an avid supporter.

Hundreds of yellow balloons were released into the air during the club’s match against Newcastle United earlier this month to raise awareness of her ongoing captivity at the time, while a picture of Ms Damari was displayed on the stadium’s large LED screens during half time, the Jewish Chronicle reported.

Ms Damari used to attend the team’s home matches in London regularly.

Israeli ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely said an X post that Ms Damari had “sent her heartfelt gratitude (to) the Spurs fans for all their incredible support during her time in captivity” as they “never gave up hope”.

Ms Hotovely added: “Everyone is eagerly looking forward to welcoming you back to the Spurs’ ground, Emily!”

In her first comments since being freed, Ms Damari said she was “the happiest in the world” and had “returned to life”.

Ms Damari’s mother Mandy, who grew up in Beckenham, south-east London, said in a statement on her release: “I want to thank everyone who never stopped fighting for Emily throughout this horrendous ordeal, and who never stopped saying her name.

“In Israel, Britain, the United States, and around the world. Thank you for bringing Emily home.”