Pro-Palestinian march and protests during Israel versus Norway football match

Hundreds of individuals gathered in Oslo on Saturday to show solidarity with Palestinians during the World Cup qualifying football match between Israel and Norway, according to reports from AFP journalists.

Inside Ullevaal Stadium, campaigners momentarily displayed a massive Palestinian flag along with a prominent banner stating "Let Children Live". Only a small group of Israeli supporters was visible, holding their national flag and a sign that said "Let the Ball Talk!".

One pro-Palestinian campaigner was physically escorted out of the spectator area.

The Israeli national anthem faced jeers from whistling sounds, and the Israeli team received boos prior to kick-off.

Earlier that day, a large crowd joined a pro-Palestinian rally in Oslo, shouting "Free Palestine" in opposition to what they called Israel's "genocide".

Participants donned traditional Palestinian keffiyeh scarves and carried Palestinian flags, assembling in the city centre before proceeding towards the stadium.

Although smoke flares were ignited, the event stayed peaceful.

"Our goal today is to issue a red card to Israel, to apartheid, and to genocide," explained Line Khateeb, leader of the Norwegian Committee for Palestine and a key organiser of the event.

"We reject the use of football to cover up war crimes, especially evident now with Israel's involvement in World Cup qualifiers," she shared with AFP.

The protesters held placards with messages such as "Exclude Israel from International Football", "From the River to the Sea", "Red Card to Israel", and "It's a Genocide, Not a War".

"For the past two years, Israel has carried out genocide, killing without distinction and committing unimaginable atrocities," stated Munib Sarwar, a 40-year-old engineer among the demonstrators, to AFP.

"We must demonstrate support for the children and residents of Gaza who have endured terror over these two years," he continued.

Despite the ceasefire agreement in Gaza announced on Thursday between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, the organisers proceeded with the rally.

"This does not signal the end of the occupation. The West Bank remains unfree, and Palestine is not liberated. We must continue advocating for sanctions against Israel to ensure accountability and achieve true freedom for Palestine," Khateeb affirmed.

Robust security measures surrounded the match.

An AFP journalist observed numerous police on horseback and in riot equipment stationed close to the stadium.

Lise Klaveness, president of the Norwegian football association, has lately advocated "for sanctions against Israel".

"In my view, if Russia faces exclusion, then Israel should too," she remarked on a Norwegian podcast.

Soon after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, UEFA and FIFA decided to bar Russian teams and clubs from international events, a measure still enforced.

The Norwegian Football Association earlier announced plans to contribute ticket sale revenues from Saturday's game to Doctors Without Borders.

With five wins from five games, Norway leads Group I in European qualifiers with 15 points, followed by Italy and Israel on nine points each.