The appearance of a video game that allows you to recreate the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7 has unleashed a wave of outrage and legal action in several countries.
Titled ‘Fursan al-Aqsa: The Knights of the Al-Aqsa Mosque’, the game was removed from the Steam platform in the United Kingdom after the intervention of the anti-terrorist unit. Despite this ban, it continues to be available in other countries, such as the United States, which has generated strong criticism from activists, military veterans and online users.
The video game, developed by Brazilian-Palestinian Nidal Nijm, who lives in Brazil, allows players take on the role of fighters who infiltrate Israeli bases to carry out murders and violent attacks. He trailer of the game, which was one of the main triggers for the complaints, includes graphic scenes in which paratroopers descend on Israeli installations, simulating the beginning of the October 7 attacks. Once on land, players can execute Israeli soldiers in various ways, from point-blank shooting to explosions caused by suicide belts.
Among the phrases that appear in the trailer are messages such as: “Where are those who carry explosive belts? “I want an explosive belt to blow myself up on the Zionists!” and “It is a jihad, a jihad of victory or martyrdom.” Additionally, the characters wear green ribbons that evoke Hamas symbols, and the scenes include explicit acts of violence, such as the execution of kneeling Israeli soldiers or grenade attacks.
Nijm has defended his creation by arguing that the game is a political message about the conflict between Palestine and Israel. According to his statements, “the game allows you to relive the iconic day when the brave Palestinian resistance humiliated the Israeli military forces.”
He also compared his work to franchises such as ‘Call of Duty’, noting that these allow players to carry out similar violent acts. However, criticism was not long in coming. Organizations such as Campaign Against Antisemitism have called the game “sadistic” and “anti-Semitic”and have warned that it could radicalize young people. «Recreating the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust for entertainment is sadistic. “It is absolutely right that it has been banned in the UK,” said a spokesperson for the organisation.
Anti-terrorism laws
Major Andrew Fox, a veteran of the British Parachute Regiment who visited Israel after the October attacks, described the video game as a reflection of the “dark rotten heart of the international pro-Palestinian movement.” Fox welcomed the ban in the United Kingdom and expressed hope that other countries would follow suit. “Anyone who downloads this game should face legal consequences for supporting offenses related to terrorism,” he stated.
The game has been Also banned in Austria and Germany. However, in USA is still available for a price of $14.99which has provoked more criticism. Users on social networks have urged Steam to remove the game globally. «Why does Steam allow a game that promotes terrorism and the murder of Israelis? “Remove it today!” wrote one user on X.
For its part, the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU), responsible for the ban on British territoryconfirmed that it works with digital platforms to identify and remove content that may violate anti-terrorism laws. Although no arrests have been made in connection with the video game, authorities have emphasized that any suspicious material can be reported through the official British government website.
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