Ukrainian goalkeeper of Maccabi Haifa Georgy Ermakov refused to shake hands with Belarusians from Torpedo on July 31, 2025: a symbol of solidarity and courage - video

On July 31, 2025, Maccabi goalkeeper Heorhii Yermakov publicly refused to shake hands with Belarusian players, supporting the tradition of Ukrainian athletes not shaking hands with representatives of aggressor countries. His action became another example of solidarity, courage, and public protest.
The story of his action is no accident, but part of the conscious resistance and solidarity of Ukrainian athletes.

A gesture that everyone noticed: the Ukrainian Maccabi goalkeeper against handshakes with Belarusians

New match — new boundaries: why this episode did not go unnoticed
Football is more than just a game. Especially when it comes to teams and people whose destinies are tied to big events.
On July 31, 2025 in Kisvárda (Hungary), the second leg of the Conference League qualifying round was held between Israeli Maccabi (Haifa) and Belarusian Torpedo-BelAZ (Zhodino). That evening, not only athletes took to the field — political views, personal stories, and the collective memory of millions intertwined here.
Before the starting whistle, something more than a formal gesture happened: the Ukrainian Maccabi goalkeeper Heorhii Yermakov refused to shake hands with the Belarusian team players. This moment was caught by cameras, became a subject of discussion in sports news in Belarus, Ukraine, and Israel, and also sparked a wave of support among Ukrainian and Jewish diasporas.
When a handshake is more than a tradition
Previously, such gestures rarely caused disputes. But since 2022, a handshake for Ukrainians, especially in front of Belarusians, has become something fundamentally different.
Belarus is Russia’s closest ally and co-aggressor in the war against Ukraine.
It was from Belarusian territory that the offensive on Kyiv began, and the Lukashenko regime has repeatedly confirmed its support for Russian aggression. For millions of Ukrainians and their supporters, a handshake with Belarusian athletes is now a symbolic act, behind which lies a moral choice.
Lukashenko, Belarus and the war: no illusions
The role of the Lukashenko regime in this war does not raise questions in the international community.
- It was through Belarus that Russia transferred troops and launched missiles at Ukrainian cities in 2022–2023.
- Military bases, airfields, and warehouses of the Belarusian army were open to Russian troops.
- Lukashenko provided Russia with political support on all international platforms, repeatedly echoing Kremlin rhetoric.
It is not surprising that Belarus has come under strict sanctions, and its athletes have found themselves in international isolation. Sports federations of many countries have severed contacts with Belarusians, and Ukrainians openly ignore any manifestations of formal “friendliness” both on and off the field.
Not an isolated case: a tradition of principle
Yermakov’s action is not an exception, but part of a new Ukrainian tradition.
- Well-known tennis player Marta Kostyuk has repeatedly publicly refused to shake hands with Belarusians Victoria Azarenka, Aliaksandra Sasnovich, and Aryna Sabalenka.
- Ukrainian athletes, meeting Belarusian opponents in world arenas, use the opportunity to emphasize their attitude towards the regime and aggression.
This is not a sign of disrespect, but a firm civic position, for which sometimes one has to pay — not everyone understands and accepts such a protest. But for Ukrainians themselves, and for many in the Jewish community of Israel, it is a symbol of strength, honesty, and respect for their country.

Who is Heorhii Yermakov?

Heorhii Yermakov is 23 years old, a native of Ukraine, a graduate of local football schools, until recently — the main goalkeeper of “Oleksandriya” in the Ukrainian Premier League.
We wrote — “In Kyiv I studied at a Jewish school,” – the new Ukrainian goalkeeper of “Maccabi Haifa” Yermakov gave his first interview as a player of the Israeli football club — video
He joined Maccabi literally a month before the historic match with Torpedo, had already managed to prove himself in training and in play — in both matches against the Belarusian club, he repeatedly saved the team and kept a clean sheet in Kisvárda.
Moving to Israel became for him not just a professional step, but also an opportunity to openly express his position without fear of pressure or reprisals. For thousands of Ukrainians who found themselves in Israel, Yermakov’s example is an example of moral courage and honesty that speaks louder than any interview.
Match details: numbers and moments
The first match between Maccabi and Torpedo-BelAZ ended in a 1:1 draw. The return game on July 31 in Hungary was dictated by the Israeli team:
- 14th minute: Dia Saba skillfully sends the ball into the top corner — 1:0.
- 22nd minute: Dolev Haziza doubles the advantage.
- 78th minute: Trivante Stewart puts the finishing touch — 3:0.
The total score after two matches — 4:1. The Belarusian team dropped out of the European competitions, and Maccabi (Haifa) advanced further and will now meet the Polish Raków.
A symbol for the diaspora: solidarity without words
More and more often, Ukrainians in Israel — and not only they — discuss that even a small gesture on the field can become a huge symbol for an entire nation.
In Jewish communities, they are used to the idea that maintaining dignity is no less important than victory in sports or politics. That is why such actions as Yermakov’s become an example for young Israeli and Ukrainian athletes, reminding: sometimes staying true to yourself is already a victory.

Silent protest — the new language of sports

When a handshake becomes impossible, actions speak. For Ukraine, this is not a gesture of conflict, but a language of truth and support.
Even if someone decides not to notice this episode — in the history of football, in the memory of Jews and Ukrainians in Israel, it has already remained. Not all protests require loud slogans — sometimes simply refusing a formality says more than long speeches.
The site NAnews — News of Israel always tells about the heroes of our time — both great and humble, whose actions unite peoples and remind: dignity and solidarity are beyond time and borders.
Read more stories where sport becomes part of the fight for justice and honor at NAnews — News of Israel. https://nikk.agency/en/ukrainian-goalkeeper/