Issam Al-Hassanat, described as “Gaza’s oldest Liverpool fan”, has followed the Reds since the 1980s. And when journalist Abubaker Abed contacted him to talk about his love for the Reds, he was more than willing to sit down for a chat.
Abed, in collaboration with the AFSC (American Friends Service Committee), spoke to Al-Hassanat for an emotive piece on what life is like as a Liverpool fan in Gaza. “During my first university year, I was detained by the Israeli forces,” he explains in the video.
“That deprived me of completing my education. During that time, my love for Liverpool grew through TV broadcasting in the Gaza Strip. There was a weekly programme on Mondays that showed one hour of sports news including news of the English Premier League. Through that, we were watching Liverpool and its entertaining games. That’s why we got attached to it.”
“Before the war, a group of friends were gathering in the house of my friend [to watch the matches],” he explained. “After the war [and the destruction of my friend’s house] I followed Liverpool by downloading YouTube videos.
“I was sending my son to my brother’s house to do the same thing because we have no electricity in the Gaza Strip. Watching live became unfeasible but we’ll watch through downloads after games.”
Amid the Israel-Gaza war, life is difficult. “It’s just hellish,” Abed tells Liverpool.com about what it’s like in the region. “Non-stop suffering and pain. We’re literally fighting for our existence. Everything is unbearable.
“There’s barely food. Things are unaffordable. Prices are insane. It’s just hell on earth. No one and nowhere is safe. Continued threats and danger. Barbarity of the very highest order. It’s really heartbreaking and unbearable.”
“But football really means life to us,” Abed explains. “It’s the only source of relief and distraction. It’s our solace amid this insanity and brutality. We can barely watch football. Charging our batteries takes hours and setting up everything also takes time. It’s a cumbersome process. But because football runs in our blood, we sacrifice for it.
“But we still feel disappointed and alone by the silence of FIFA and the footballing community on us. It wasn’t the same when Ukraine was invaded. We love and teach life. We deserve a good life. And as fans, our favorite teams must look at us.”
Abed wanted to speak with Al-Hassanat because of his passion for Liverpool. “It’s a unique story,” he says. “He’s a unique man. He’s also an Arabic writer and poet.
“And he can’t stop talking about Liverpool. Liverpool is his heartbeat. And one of the reasons is that I desperately, like him, want Liverpool and LFC fans to see him and show him something during this harsh time.
“I know that Liverpool is recognizing his fans around the world. So, Issam is the one who deserves it the most. Also, being the brother of a Liverpool fan, who was only 15, his story was covered on the BBC.
Issam Al-Hassanat is “Gaza’s oldest Liverpool fan”.
“Ali, still a child, wants to be seen by LFC. His dream is to get to Anfield one day. Another reason honestly is that I love Liverpool as well. Liverpool has a big place in the hearts of many here in Gaza.
“It was a nice experience because Issam is my neighbor, and I’ve known him for a very long time. He’s such a polite, educated, tactful, kind, and adorable old man with an unbeatable mentality and unmatched passion. I think everyone knowing him loves him. He’s such a legend whose name must be known worldwide.”
“I really learned a lot, from dedication and loyalty to resistance and hope,” Abed says. “I also learned that these stories must be the headlines of every publication because they are the vulnerable and marginalized ones. But I also learned that we, Palestinians, are marginalized and ostracized. And many people across the globe don’t care about us.”
“I hope Liverpool’s management will reach the level of its fans in supporting the Palestinian cause,” Al-Hassanat says. “As a Liverpool fan, my dream is that they will share a day with us here in Gaza and we’ll enjoy Liverpool if God gives us a new life after the genocide.”
