Just minutes before a crucial World Cup qualifier, massive flags appeared in the stands, immediately signaling that this wasn’t just about football.
As Norway and Israel’s national teams lined up, Norwegian fans proudly raised a Palestinian flag and a powerful banner proclaiming ‘Let Children Live.’ The atmosphere intensified as Israel’s national anthem was met with boos and whistles from sections of the home crowd.
This powerful display, alongside a pre-game march of approximately 1,500 individuals, underscores how football has transformed into a significant arena for protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. These demonstrations are anticipated to continue, even following a recent cease-fire agreement that international mediators hoped would bring an end to the two-year conflict. Israeli soccer officials are already bracing for further protests at their team’s upcoming World Cup qualifier in Udine, Italy.
[An image of dozens of fans waving both Palestinian and Norwegian flags during the World Cup qualifier between Norway and Israel in Oslo.]
Following a difficult 5-0 defeat, Israel’s goalkeeper Daniel Peretz simply stated, ‘It is our reality today,’ acknowledging the persistent political backdrop to their games.
[An image depicting demonstrators in Oslo marching and chanting in support of Palestinians.]
Beyond the political statements, the match itself was a high-stakes affair. For Norway, it represented one of the most pivotal games in recent memory, potentially ending a nearly three-decade absence from the men’s World Cup.
Yet, many Norwegian football officials and supporters have consistently voiced strong opinions regarding Israel’s involvement in international competitions. They saw this particular match as a prime opportunity to amplify their stance. Months prior, the Norwegian soccer federation declared that all proceeds from Saturday’s game would be donated to Doctors Without Borders for humanitarian aid in Gaza, a gesture further bolstered by a team sponsor’s pledge of an additional 300,000 euros (approximately $350,000).
Inside Andy’s Pub in Oslo, a group of friends from Tromso, clad in vintage 1990s Norwegian jerseys, gathered for pre-match beers. However, one regular, Kurt, was conspicuously absent. His brother, Ronny Jordness, 55, explained that Kurt was boycotting the game.
Despite Ronny’s efforts to persuade him, highlighting the charitable donation to Gaza, Kurt remained steadfast in his boycott.
This targeted charity initiative by Norway drew sharp criticism from Israeli officials. During a heated press conference the day before the match, journalists traveling with the Israeli team grilled Lise Klaveness, the president of Norway’s soccer federation, on the donation and related political issues.
Klaveness herself has become a central figure in Israel’s frustration. She has openly advocated for Israel’s exclusion from global football, drawing parallels to Russia’s ban following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Her criticisms extend to FIFA, accusing the governing body of failing to act on alleged rule breaches by Israel, particularly concerning teams from Israeli settlements in the West Bank participating in its professional league, and of an unacceptably slow investigation process.
[An image shows Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian soccer federation, who has been a vocal critic of perceived Israeli violations of international soccer regulations.]
In an interview, Klaveness explained that the donation was partly intended to reassure Norwegian fans that supporting their national team was still appropriate, despite the politically charged atmosphere. ‘We knew that it will be a very political backdrop to the game and people will find it very difficult in Norway to come to the game and support Norway,’ she noted.
Meanwhile, outside the stadium, pro-Palestinian organizers rallied before a 90-minute march through Oslo. Their demonstration garnered considerable support, with passers-by cheering from windows and stopped vehicles.
According to protest organizers, the recent cease-fire agreement in Gaza was insufficient. The deal involved Hamas releasing remaining hostages captured during the October 7, 2023, attack in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Line Khateeb, one of the protest leaders, emphasized that the agreement fell short of their demands. ‘It’s not the end of the occupation,’ she stated. ‘It doesn’t mean the West Bank is free. It doesn’t mean Palestine is free. We need to keep pushing and putting sanctions on Israel to hold them accountable in order to have a proper free Palestine.’
[An image shows Palestinians returning to Gaza City, a place severely damaged since the cease-fire took effect.]
The match necessitated an extensive security operation, including a no-fly zone and road closures, making it Norway’s largest sporting security effort since the 1994 Winter Olympics. Israel’s traveling delegation of 60 included 16 security agents, while police outside the stadium made over 20 arrests among the protesters.
For Israel’s national team, these heightened emotions and political pressures are an ever-present reality.
During a pre-match press conference, Coach Ran Ben-Shimon made a poignant gesture, pulling a light blue kipa from his pocket, placing it on his head, and offering a Hebrew prayer for the safe return of all hostages and soldiers in Gaza.
Eli Dasa, the team’s captain, voiced his frustration, remarking, ‘I feel like here, I am a politician from the government of Israel rather than a footballer who is supposed to play tomorrow against Norway.’ This follows a previous incident two years prior when he publicly displayed a soccer shoe, stating it belonged to an Israeli child abducted by Hamas on October 7.
Since the conflict began, other Israeli teams have also reported facing antisemitic attacks. Last November in Amsterdam, dozens of arrests were made following incidents described by officials as antisemitic attacks on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans during a European club match. The event also saw vandalism and inflammatory behavior from both sides, including anti-Arab chants.
While Norway’s football officials have consistently advocated for banning Israel from competitions, other European nations have only recently begun to adopt a similar stance as public opinion across the continent increasingly turned against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
In recent weeks, rumors circulated that European football leadership was considering banning Israeli teams, which have historically competed within European national and club structures. Klaveness confirmed that discussions about a potential ban had become increasingly serious.
[An image shows Israeli players applauding their fans after the World Cup qualifying match loss to Norway.]
However, these intensifying discussions were significantly de-escalated when former President Trump, alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, unveiled a comprehensive peace plan and urged Hamas to accept it. This diplomatic move had substantial implications, extending to the debate over banning Israel’s soccer team.
‘There was genuine momentum towards a meeting,’ Klaveness stated, ‘but then the peace talks began, and everything simply cooled down.’
The political climate has also impacted individual soccer officials. Protesters have gathered outside the homes of Gabriele Gravina, the Italian soccer president, and national team coach Gennaro Gattuso. Gattuso recently commented that he anticipates more demonstrators outside Stadio Friuli in Udine than actual fans inside for the upcoming Israel vs. Italy qualifying match.
Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president and an ally of former President Trump, made efforts last week to alleviate fan opposition towards Israel.
Speaking during a meeting of European soccer executives in Rome, Infantino urged, ‘Now there is a cease-fire; everyone should be happy about that. Everyone should support that process.’
As the match in Oslo neared its conclusion, with Norwegian fans celebrating their team’s impending return to the World Cup, a significant moment unfolded. The megaphone, previously used for cheering Norway, was passed to a man wearing a kaffiyeh, a prominent symbol of Palestinian resistance. Soon after, the resounding chant of ‘Free, free Palestine’ filled the stadium.