Kosovo won (1-0) against Israel on Sunday in qualifying for Euro 2024, for the first trip by the Israeli football team since the massacres of October 7 and the start of the war in Gaza. Placed under very high security by the authorities of Kosovo, the vast majority of whose 1.8 million inhabitants are Muslim but which is a very close ally of the United States and maintains good diplomatic relations with Israel, the meeting took place without any incident.
Impressive security measures were implemented all around the stadium before and during the match, including special police units deployed. The Israeli team’s convoy was also particularly closely monitored when it moved through the city.
Large Palestinian flag removed by police
“We see scenes with children [à Gaza], and we ourselves lived the experience of war, commented to an AFP correspondent one of the spectators of the match, Driton Ajeti, a 37-year-old lawyer. We are opposed to these events that we attend, but today we came for the sport, and everything else is decided elsewhere. »
“We should not get involved in politics, but only in sport,” also said Gezim Hasi, a 45-year-old bartender. During the day, a few hours before the match, a large Palestinian flag bearing the inscription “Free Palestine” was displayed on the facade of a hotel in downtown Pristina by feminist activists, before being quickly removed by the police.
The other sign of protest took place during the anthems, with loud whistles as theHatikvah, the Israeli anthem. During it, the players of the national team made the half-heart sign, according to The Team, in support of the hostages held by Hamas, after the attack of October 7. Due to the conflict, Israel cannot host matches on its soil and will “host” Switzerland and Romania, during the last two qualifying matches for Euro 2024, in Hungary.