A symbol for peace at San Mames

In the moments prior to the start of our match against RC Celta, Athletic Club will turn San Mames’ centre circle into the symbol for peace in a call for human rights and international humanitarian law to be respected.

Athletic Club thus endorses the UN General Assembly resolution of October 27, which appeals for "an immediate and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip".

The severity of the situation is clearly painful and heartbreaking for many families. Athletic Club is deeply saddened by the death of Iván Illarramendi, who disappeared on 7 October after the Hamas attack in Israel. Iván was a Basque from Bilbao and before moving abroad he was an Athletic Club Member. The club expresses its condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Iván's family and loved ones at this difficult time.

Through the symbol for peace, Athletic wishes to publicly shows its solidarity with the victims, including thousands of children, of the serious violations of human rights that have taken place in recent weeks, urging that the relevant mechanisms for the respect of these rights be set up, that international law be complied with and that appropriate steps for a lasting peaceful solution be established.

Our thoughts are also with Honey Thaljieh, co-founder and former captain of the Palestinian national football team, who was named as an Athletic Club ambassador in March in recognition of her fight for gender equality and peace in her home. A cause that is now more essential than ever. Respect for and compliance with the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international humanitarian law demand the end to indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations, access to humanitarian aid and the immediate release of hostages. 

Athletic Club is aware that there are dozens of armed conflicts in the world. However, these particular circumstances have led the club to consider the current moment an appropriate time to launch this message in favour of peace and respect for international humanitarian law.

The values and principles associated with Athletic Club's identity, prominent throughout our 125th anniversary celebrations, reflect the club's social and ethical responsibility to wider society, exemplied by a commitment to culture in addition to endeavours towards promoting diversity, inclusion and gender equality.

These are the same values and principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ideals which Athletic Club believes form the essential framework in the practice of pluralism, co-existence and democracy.