Norway pummels Israel in World Cup qualifier marred by anti-Israel hostility in stadium, outside

OSLO, Norway — Norway beat Israel 5-0 in a World Cup qualifier soccer match in Oslo on Saturday that was overshadowed by anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian protests inside and outside the stadium held by local fans opposed to Israel’s participation in the tournament due to the war against Hamas in Gaza.

There was a heavy security response, including the use of tear gas, in what The Guardian called the “most high-security sports event in Norway since the Winter Olympics in 1994.”

The report said that “anti-terror measures were in place throughout Oslo,” police imposed a no-fly zone over the stadium, and supporters from both nations were barred from sitting in seats close to the pitch.

Ahead of the game, hundreds of pro-Palestinian supporters gathered to protest outside the Norwegian parliament, with many wearing the jerseys of the Palestinian national team.

“The match should not have been played. If Russia is expelled, then Israel should be expelled as well,” claimed Norway fan Johan, who was dressed in a Palestine jersey.

Marching toward Ullevaal Stadium with Palestinian flags and flares, the protesters gathered outside, continuing until kickoff as nearby buildings displayed pro-Palestinian banners hanging from balconies.

Security was tight around the stadium, with police closing several entrances hours before the match started, conducting bag searches, and reducing the number of spectators allowed in.

Inside the stadium, spectators unfurled a large Palestinian flag in the stands, next to a banner reading “Let Children Live,” in protest of the war in Gaza, where a ceasefire came into effect on Friday.

On the other side of the stadium, a small group of fans could be seen waving Israeli flags and sporting other pro-Israel paraphernalia.

As the match kicked off with both countries’ national anthems, boos and whistles could be heard in parts of the stadium as Israel’s anthem, “Hatikva,” was played.

Later, Norwegian police confirmed they had used tear gas on a group of protesters who attempted to breach the barricades surrounding the stadium as the match was being played.

“Several protesters have broken through the police barricades outside Ullevaal Stadium. We have therefore used gas to gain control of the crowd. No one has been injured in connection with the incident,” the police said in a statement to Norwegian media.

The police also arrested several demonstrators, according to the news agency NTB.

The Norwegian Football Association previously said it would donate the proceeds from ticket sales for Saturday’s match to Doctors Without Borders.

In the game itself, Norway handily defeated Israel, with the Scandinavians’ star Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick in addition to two own goals scored by Anan Khalaili and Idan Nachmias.

Haaland also missed a penalty as Norway cruised to victory and edged closer to qualifying for a first World Cup since 1998.

Norway, who have not played at a major tournament since Euro 2000, now lead Group I with nine points more than second-placed Italy, who have two games in hand and play in Estonia later Saturday. Israel is in third place and plays in Italy on Tuesday, with only faint hopes of reaching the playoffs for next year’s cup.

Norway will secure a place at next year’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a win over the Estonians on Tuesday if Italy fails to defeat either Estonia or Israel in its next two matches.

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