Eliezer Sharbatov, former captain of the Israeli ice hockey team, who joined a club representing the city near the extermination camp, is criticized: "A Jew who plays in Auschwitz, simply betrays the Jewish people" • The player replied: "No one will stop us in an age where we can "

• Eliezer Sharbatov. "Just so the fans cheer for a Jewish player"

  Photo: 

  AFP

Just two weeks ago, Eliezer Sharbatov, 29, a former captain of the Israeli ice hockey team, decided to sign with the Polish league's Una Oswiecim, a club representing the city near the extermination camp where the largest number of Jews were exterminated during the Holocaust by the Nazi beast.

Since the signing, Sharvatov has been criticized for playing for the Polish team and the last ricochet he received from Rabbi Elhanan Popko, a senior lecturer in the United States and Canada. "I never thought I would say such a thing, but a Jew who plays in Auschwitz is simply betraying the Jewish people. . This is a stabbing in the back for millions of Jews, "Popko tweeted.

"Have you not been able to find another group in which to play," the rabbi continued, "any gate you conquer will arouse great pride in a city where its citizens have watched our brothers and sisters go up in flames. In my humble opinion, anyone living in this city today is simply guilty."

Never thought I would have to say this:



For a #Jew to play for team #Auschwitz is treason, a betrayal of the #Jewish people, and a shameful stab in the back for millions.



There are lots of hockey teams out there, @ Sherbatov1, find another one. https://t.co/KorLyQJG2w

- Rabbi E. Poupko- WEAR A MASK (@RabbiPoupko) August 10, 2020

Sharbatov, who saw the tweet, responded and began a helpful dialogue with Popko: "I'm sorry you can not see that this whole story is bigger than me and you, it definitely disappoints me. My goal is to raise a trophy, just so the fans cheer for a Jewish hockey player. "It's new in the history of the Jewish people. That's why I came here. No one will stop us in an age where we can get anywhere in the world."

Yes I had other opportunities. But if you can not see that this is bigger than me and you, then I am disappointed.

My goal is to lift the cup so people can cheer a Jewish hockey player.

That's what I call, creating a new history for us Jews! #Hockey #jew #israel #poland #Auschwitz https://t.co/Pl7N2QLQD3

- Eliezer Sherbatov (@ Sherbatov1) August 10, 2020