Oslo witnessed a night of fervent pro-Palestine demonstrations during the World Cup qualifier match between Norway and Israel on October 11, 2025. The Ullevaal Stadium became the focal point of protests against Israel's participation in the tournament, fueled by ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The match, which saw Norway defeat Israel 5-0, was heavily influenced by the political tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hours before the game, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Oslo's city center, expressing solidarity with Palestine and chanting "Free Palestine". Many protesters donned Palestinian keffiyeh shawls, waved Palestinian flags, and ignited smoke flares as they marched towards the stadium. Line Khateeb, head of the Norwegian Committee for Palestine, articulated the protesters' message: "We give the red card to Israel, to apartheid, and to genocide". She further stated, "We do not accept football being used to whitewash war crimes, as we see today when Israel participates in the World Cup qualification games".
The demonstration featured banners with slogans 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". Munib Sarwar, an engineer participating in the protest, voiced his concern: "Israel has been committing genocide for the last two years and killing indiscriminately, doing the most horrible thing that could be imaginable". He emphasized the need to show solidarity with the children and people of Gaza.
Inside the Ullevaal Stadium, activists briefly unfurled a giant Palestinian flag and a banner reading "Let Children Live". In contrast, only a few dozen Israeli fans were present, waving their country's flag and holding a banner that read "Let the Ball Talk!". During the Israeli national anthem, whistling and boos echoed through the stadium, and Israeli players faced jeers before the game commenced. A pro-Palestinian activist was forcibly removed from the stands. A man wearing a "Free Gaza" t-shirt ran onto the pitch during the match before being escorted off.
Security measures were heightened for the event, with police closing several entrances, conducting thorough bag searches, and reducing the number of spectators allowed inside. A no-fly zone was imposed over the stadium, and supporters from both nations were restricted from sitting in seats close to the pitch. Despite a ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas just days prior, organizers proceeded with the demonstration. They emphasized that the ceasefire did not signify the end of the occupation or the liberation of Palestine, stressing the need to continue pushing for sanctions against Israel.
Following the match, riot police employed tear gas to disperse a group of activists outside the stadium, resulting in several arrests. Public broadcaster NRK reported that approximately 1,000 protesters were present at the Ullevaal Stadion. Some protesters chanted "Shut down the embassy," while others brandished red cards, and one woman held a sign stating, "Game Over Israel". The Norwegian Football Association has announced that the proceeds from ticket sales for the match will be donated to Doctors Without Borders.
These events underscore the strong sentiments surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Norway, where public opinion polls indicate a greater sympathy towards Palestine. Norway recognized the State of Palestine on May 28, 2024. The protests in Oslo highlight how deeply political tensions can permeate even sporting events, turning a World Cup qualifier into a stage for expressing solidarity and dissent.
