Red Card for Israel: Oslo citizens protest ahead of Norway-Israel match

According to The Guardian, the city’s atmosphere ahead of the match was markedly different. Norwegian citizens and Palestinian solidarity activists, carrying flags, placards, and peace slogans, made it clear that football cannot remain neutral in the face of human suffering.

The crowd included people of all ages — from young students loudly chanting “Red Card for Israel” to elderly demonstrators walking quietly with Palestinian scarves and signs reading “Justice Without Exception.”

The Palestinian Committee in Norway organized the “Red Card for Israel” demonstration, with thousands marching from the city center toward the stadium. Other groups announced independent gatherings. Norwegian authorities had prepared for such a day for over a year.

Israel is accustomed to high security at its sports events. Nevertheless, reports indicate that dozens of Mossad agents were present in Norway to ensure players’ safety. What set this event apart, however, was the strong stance of Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian Football Federation, who openly called for Israel’s suspension from international competitions — a position that severely strained relations between the two federations.

Additionally, Norway’s decision to donate proceeds from the match to Doctors Without Borders for Gaza relief drew sharp criticism from Israel’s football federation.

Klaveness responded to criticism: “Our issue is not Israel as a team, but adherence to FIFA regulations and international law. More important than any match is stopping the bombings and securing the return of prisoners.”

The Guardian noted that despite pressures, the Norwegian Football Federation never considered officially boycotting the game. Yet civil society activists, including Line Khatib, head of the Palestinian Committee in Norway, argued the match should not take place:

“When Palestinians are even denied the right to play and move freely, Israel should not participate in international football.”

A shared sentiment was evident among the public. At Grønland Metro Station, where posters had advertised the rally for days, volunteers handed out brochures about the plight of Palestinian athletes. One volunteer said passionately: “Football only makes sense when people are free. When Palestinian players cannot even train, a match against Israel is more than a game — it is a statement.”

Along the route, young artists spray-painted a large mural of a child holding a football behind barbed wire, with the caption: “Football is a right for all children.”

As the match approached, hundreds of volunteers urged participants to remain peaceful. Near the stadium, chants of “Free Palestine” echoed alongside drumbeats. For many Norwegians, the day was not just about football, but a reminder of the simple message displayed on a placard:

“No game is bigger than humanity.”