A soccer player in the English Football League is proudly displaying his faith with a unique haircut.

In an apparent reaction to a growing number of anti-Semitic incidents in the United Kingdom, Tomer Hemed, a striker with Brighton & Hove Albion F.C., posted a photo of himself last week with a Star of David shaved onto his head.

Always representing #starofdavid #jewish #israel #proudtobejewish #bhafc pic.twitter.com/iOZYxznYpz

— Tomer Hemed (@tomerhemed10) February 26, 2017

“Always representing #starofdavid #jewish #israel #proudtobejewish #bhafc,” Hemed captioned the photo.

The Community Security Trust, a Jewish communal organization in the UK, reported last month that the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the country had increased by 36 percent in 2016, reaching an all-time high.

A number of prominent British politicians have condemned the rise in anti-Semitism, with Communities Secretary Sajid Javid saying earlier this year, “Anti-Semitism must be understood for what it is — an attack on the identity of people who live, contribute and are valued in our society.”

Prime Minister Theresa May also addressed the problem of campus anti-Semitism last week, saying, “Higher education institutions have a responsibility to ensure that they provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students, and we expect them to have robust policies and procedures in place to comply with the law, to investigate, and to swiftly address [any] hate crime, including any anti-Semitic incidents that are reported.”

Tom Watson, deputy leader of the opposition Labour Party, added, “We must root out anti-Semitism whenever it takes place and wherever it exists, as a party and as a country.”

On Monday, Hemed posted a picture of himself engaged in morning prayers. He also explained to fans that he covers his head when he enters or leaves the soccer pitch so that he can say the Shema, the Jewish declaration of faith.

https://twitter.com/tomerhemed10/status/838666874309214208

[Photo: Facebook ]