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| Two policemen stand near the Fadil Vokrri stadium in Pristina, where Kosovo and Israel are facing each other under tight security, November 12, 2023; source: REL |
Kosovo is facing Israel this evening in a Euro 2024 qualifying match under strict security measures in Pristina. This is the first encounter for the Israeli national team since the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, declared a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, began on October 7.
Kosovar authorities increased security measures when the Israeli footballers arrived in Kosovo on Friday, adding more on the day of the match. They blocked roads around the Fadil Vokrri Stadium and conducted thorough checks on ticket-holding fans. It was announced that any "racist, xenophobic, political, or religious promotional material" would be prohibited.
The match was initially scheduled for October 15 but was postponed to November 12 after radical Palestinian fighters attacked cities in southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping over 240 others. This attack led to retaliatory Israeli warfare and continuous bombings in the Gaza Strip.
A very small number of fans attended the Fadil Vokrri Stadium, which has a capacity of 14,000 spectators, to watch this unusual match, considering the strong support the national Dardanian team enjoys when playing at home.
However, the weak form of the national team, adverse weather conditions, and the circumstances in which the match is taking place may have had an impact.
A few hours before the match, a large banner with the slogan "Free Palestine" was placed on the Grand Hotel building in the city center, near a Ukrainian flag, by the activist group Collective for Thought and Feminist Action - but it was quickly removed.