How Tottenham Hotspurs Soccer Fans Helped Bring Hostage Emily Damari Home

Freed hostage Emily Damari has touched hearts worldwide by thanking the Tottenham Hotspur soccer community that never stopped fighting for her release. Clutching a Spurs scarf in newly released photos, Emily's story represents a powerful testament to how sports can unite people across borders in times of crisis.

For 108 agonizing days, the stands at Tottenham's stadium echoed with a haunting chant: "She's one of our own" – a rallying cry for a fan who couldn't be there. The sea of yellow balloons released during matches became a symbol of hope, floating above the pitch as a reminder of Emily's absence and the unwavering determination to bring her home.

"She was overwhelmed to learn about all the amazing people who kept her spirit alive at every match," Emily's mother, Mandy Damari, shared in an emotional social media post. "The yellow ribbons tied around the stadium, the chants, the balloons – it all meant so much during those dark days."

The campaign for Emily's release transcended traditional soccer rivalries. Even fans of Arsenal, Tottenham's fierce London rivals, joined in releasing yellow balloons and calling for her freedom, showing how some causes are bigger than the beautiful game.

Emily's journey home represents a rare moment of joy in an ongoing crisis. She was violently taken from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza during Hamas's October 7 attack, becoming one of over 200 hostages. On Sunday, she was finally freed alongside Romi Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher, marking the start of a new hostage release phase.

But amidst the celebration, there's a sobering reminder: 94 hostages remain in captivity, including eight with British connections. As Emily's mother poignantly noted while sharing photos of her daughter's homecoming, "Let's keep going for those still waiting to come home."

Tottenham Hotspur's official response captured the emotion of the moment: "Welcome home, Emily. We hope to see you at the stadium soon." For Emily and the Spurs community that never gave up on her, that reunion at the stadium will be more than just a soccer match – it will be a celebration of hope, persistence, and the unbreakable bonds that can form through sport.

For now, "one of our own" is finally home, but the chants won't stop until all the hostages are free.

Times of Israel contributed to this article.