Detroit Lions Linebacker Alex Anzalone Worries as His Parents Get Caught Up in Israel’s Deadly Conflict
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone is tackling a whole new kind of problem off the field. It turns out his parents, Sal and Judy Anzalone, are currently in Israel with their church group, and things have taken a turn for the worse.
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President Biden’s Stand with Israel
After the Lions scored a big win against the Carolina Panthers (42-24, in case you missed it), Anzalone, who’s 29 and plays the game like a pro, shared his concerns with The Detroit News. He confessed, “It’s hard. [It’s] really all I’ve been thinking about.” We feel you, Alex.
So, what’s the story? Well, Sal and Judy embarked on their Israel adventure with their fellow churchgoers from First Naples, a Baptist congregation based in sunny Naples, Florida. They touched down in Israel on October 2, and as luck would have it, they landed smack in the middle of a heated conflict between Israel and Hamas. Talk about bad timing!
A Church Group’s Unplanned Adventure
Thankfully, their church’s pastor, Alan Brumback, took to Facebook to reassure everyone that the group is safe and “doing well” as of Sunday evening. That’s the kind of update we all need when our loved ones are far from home in a tense situation.
The 53-strong group is lined up for a flight out of Tel Aviv on Thursday morning. They’re playing it safe and have been cautiously continuing with some of their sightseeing, as Tel Aviv is right in the thick of the conflict. Brumback is keeping everyone posted and has even called on the power of prayer, saying, “Continue to pray for Israel and for this to be resolved as peacefully and quickly as possible. We are trusting in the Lord, and we know that God’s got this.”
Assurance from the Pulpit
Meanwhile, Alex Anzalone did his part by sharing a video of Congressman Byron Donalds on X (formerly Twitter). Donalds was speaking to CNN about the group’s safety, expressing the panic they’re going through while trying to find their way back home. Alex even tagged President Joe Biden in his post and pleaded, “Please get my parents home.” It seems even NFL players need some political help now and then.
President Biden, who’s 80 and has seen his fair share of conflicts, stood firmly behind Israel after a surprise attack by Hamas militants left over 200 Israelis dead. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even declared the country to be “at war.” In a statement, Biden condemned the “appalling assault against Israel by Hamas terrorists” and assured Prime Minister Netanyahu of unwavering support from the United States.
Social Media Plea to President Biden
But let’s not forget the long-standing conflict between Israel and Palestine over Jerusalem. Israel calls the shots in Jerusalem, but the Palestinians want a piece of the action too, especially East Jerusalem, which includes the West Bank and Gaza. These disputes date back to the 20th-century Arab-Israeli conflicts when Israel was born, and it’s been a heated topic ever since.
So, as Alex Anzalone worries about his parents in Israel and President Biden stands by Israel’s side, the world keeps an eye on this ongoing saga in the Middle East. Here’s to hoping for a peaceful resolution and, of course, a safe journey home for Sal and Judy Anzalone and their fellow churchgoers.
