Menashe Zalka
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Menisan Menashe Zalka | ||
| Date of birth | 1 July 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Hapoel Hadera | ||
| Number | 15 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2012–2013 | Hapoel Hadera | 28 | (4) |
| 2013–2015 | F.C. Giv'at Olga | 20 | (4) |
| 2014 | Maccabi Daliyat al-Karmel (loan) | 9 | (0) |
| 2015 | Maccabi Tzur Shalom (loan) | 14 | (4) |
| 2015– | Hapoel Hadera | 212 | (5) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 31 March 2026 | |||
Menashe Zalka (Hebrew: מנשה זלקה; born 1 July 1990) is an Israeli footballer who plays as a midfielder for and captains Liga Leumit club Hapoel Hadera.[1]
Club career
Zalka started his career with Hapoel Hadera in 2012, before signing for F.C. Giv'at Olga in 2013. Subsequently, he signed for Maccabi Daliyat al-Karmel in 2014. The same year, he returned to F.C. Giv'at Olga.
One year later, he signed for Maccabi Tzur Shalom. Following his stint there, he returned to Hapoel Hadera in 2016 and has captained the club. Altogether, he has played over 100 games in the Israeli Premier League.[2]
International career
Zalka is eligible to represent Ethiopia internationally, having been born in the country.[3] Despite receiving interest from the Ethiopian Football Federation, he has not been called up to the Ethiopia national football team.
Personal life
Zalka was born on 1 July 1990 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and grew up in Hadera, Israel.[4]
Military involvement in invasion of Lebanon
Drafted twice, he has served as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces and served in the north of the country during the Israel–Hezbollah conflict[5] In 2026, he became the subject of international controversy following the release of a video in which he appeared participating alongside Israeli troops in an invasion of the sovereign territory of Lebanon, during which he was seen throwing a grenade and celebrating it euphorically.[6][7]. The incident sparked outrage in various circles and led to calls for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to consider taking possible disciplinary action against him[8][9].
Honors
In 2019 Zalka was honored as one of the torchbearers in the national Israeli Independence Day ceremony.[10]
References
- ^ "שחקן הפועל חדרה מנשה זלקה עלה על המגרש עם מחווה ציונית מפתיעה". hadera.il.
- ^ Menashe Zalka at Soccerway
- ^ "מנשה זלקה: "לא אייצג נבחרת שאינה ישראל"". sport5.co.il.
- ^ "פעם לוחם, תמיד לוחם – ראיון מיוחד עם קפטן הפועל חדרה מנשה זלקה". hazavit.co.il.
- ^ "מנשה זלקה שוב גויס למילואים: "המדינה לפני הכל, מצדיעים לו"". Israel HaYom.
- ^ "Israeli footballer's role in assault on southern Lebanon sparks outrage". Al Jazeera. 29 March 2026.
- ^ "Israeli player's Lebanon video triggers FIFA calls". news.az. 30 March 2026.
- ^ "Israeli footballer Menashe Zalka seen in Lebanon assault video, fans call for FIFA action". CNBCTV18.com. 30 March 2026.
- ^ "Video of Israeli footballer firing grenade in southern Lebanon sparks outrage". modernghana.com. 30 March 2026.
- ^ "בהצדעה לרוח הישראלית': אלו משיאי המשואות בטקס יום העצמאות'" ['In salute to the Israeli spirit': These are the highlights of the torches at the Independence Day ceremony]. Channel 13 (in Hebrew). 8 May 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2026.