Norwegian police on Saturday dispersed a group of pro-Palestinian activists with tear gas and made several arrests during Israel’s 5-0 defeat to Norway in a World Cup qualifying match at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadium.
According to AFP journalists, a heavy police presence surrounded the stadium as tension rose before kickoff. Earlier in the day, several hundred demonstrators had marched peacefully through Oslo’s city centre, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans calling for Israel’s exclusion from international football.
Inside the stadium, the protest briefly disrupted proceedings when activists unfurled a giant Palestinian flag and a banner reading “Let Children Live.” Whistling echoed during the Israeli national anthem, and a man wearing a “Free Palestine” jersey ran onto the pitch before being escorted away by security.
Outside the venue, riot police used tear gas to push back dozens of masked activists who refused to disperse. “The message today is to give a red card to Israel, to apartheid, and to genocide,” said Line Khateeb, head of the Norwegian Committee for Palestine. She added that football should not be used to “whitewash war crimes.”
Despite a recent Gaza ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, organizers insisted the demonstration was necessary. “It’s not the end of the occupation. Palestine is still not free,” Khateeb emphasized.
The Football Association of Norway (NFF) confirmed it would donate ticket proceeds from the match to Doctors Without Borders. NFF president Lise Klaveness recently stated she supports sanctions against Israel, arguing that “if Russia is excluded, Israel should be as well.”
With the emphatic win, Norway now leads Group I of the European qualifiers with 18 points, ahead of Italy and Israel, who both have nine.
