Palestinian footballer quits Israel national team following backlash for criticising Israeli aggression

A Palestinian footballer who has suffered continuous backlash since speaking out against Israeli aggression at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound last year has quit the Israeli national football team.

Moanes Dabbur, who is from Nazareth and plays for German Bundesliga club 1899 Hoffenheim, said in an Instagram post that he was quitting the team, but did not specify why.

"I would like to inform you of my decision that my part of the Israeli national team has come to an end," Dabbur said.

"I would like to thank my family and everyone who has ever supported me."

Last spring, Israeli forces carried out a series of assaults on Al-Aqsa Mosque, using tear gas, stun grenades and rubber-coated bullets.

Dabbur condemned the Al-Aqsa Mosque raids at the time, saying on Instagram: "God will deal with the perpetrators of injustice".

He said his elderly relative had been injured in the raids because of the excessive force used by Israeli security forces.

His comments sparked backlash from Israelis. He was forced to publicly apologise to his teammates for his comments, and he has been booed on several occasions while playing for the national team.

Dabbur's brother Anas told Israeli media last July that he had been deliberating over quitting the national team because of the heckling by fans.