Protesters attack Israeli football team in Austria

E-Paper | May 03, 2026

VIENNA: Protesters against Israel's military offensive in Gaza attacked Israeli football players at a friendly match in Austria on Wednesday evening, stopping play five minutes before the end.

Salzburg police said on Thursday around 20 people with flags and placards, mostly Austrians of Turkish origin, stormed the pitch shouting slogans about the Gaza conflict, in which more than 700 Palestinians have been killed and thousands displaced.

Police said there were clashes with the players from Maccabi Haifa, which was playing a friendly against Lille in Bischofshofen in Salzburg province, but no one was injured and police were quickly able to calm the situation.

The provincial office for the protection of the constitution is investigating.

Austria's chancellor condemned the violence.

“Guests who are staying in Austria have the right to do so in safety, regardless of their origin and religion,” Werner Faymann said in a statement.

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humanity

Jul 24, 2014 04:25pm

Insane, how can they blame sportsmen for some one elses actions?

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Asif Naeem Bhatti

Jul 24, 2014 04:25pm

Excellent

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Aamir

Jul 24, 2014 04:28pm

Not good to attack players. This will weaken the Palestinian cause. Not everyone in Israel supports the atrocities on Palestinians.

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waleedfakhar

Jul 24, 2014 04:51pm

hatts off...

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Akram

Jul 24, 2014 04:54pm

if you choose to represent a racist regime which unashamedly murders women and children as a point of policy, surely you are as guilty as those who actually commit the genocide?

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Sikandar ALi

Jul 24, 2014 05:03pm

This is not good, because all the humans have the right to live, work and play as the Palestinian do have the right to live, work and play not only on their own land but around the world. Actually this is just because of the injustice of their predators and at the end of day normal people face the music, so awful

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Jul 24, 2014 05:05pm

It's like the Turks are more angry then Palestinians themselves. But the players maybe against the atrocities. Who knows?

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Moiz Omar

Jul 24, 2014 05:55pm

Extremely wrong. Sports should not be mixed with politics.

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mimi sur

Jul 24, 2014 05:58pm

It won't help Palestine . It will help Israel only .

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Dhk

Jul 24, 2014 06:00pm

This is exactly why there is not much real support other than lip service towards Palestinian. They have to find a way to be more peaceful. Can't solve everything with violence and aggression. Learn from Nelson Mandela, Gandhi and Martin Luther king Jr.

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Danial

Jul 24, 2014 06:32pm

This is just sad. Who thought this was a good idea?!

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Nomi

Jul 24, 2014 06:41pm

Agreed that nation must not be blamed for the actions of that country but I would just comment that this should be an eye opener for Israel .... she must look how fast their support in world is depleting. Israel must realize that Palestinians also have right to live as per standards of world...

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noman

Jul 24, 2014 06:55pm

Good job...dude...

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Ali

Jul 24, 2014 07:11pm

@humanity - i agree that no innocent should be attacked or harm in any ither way but i would luke to see you condemn the Israeli onslaught in Gaza also Could this be just a running? Is any player hurt? If not then it may have been to publicize gaza onslaught

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Haris

Jul 24, 2014 07:14pm

I don't agree with this, but for some reason I feel a little better.

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Mohammed Abbasi

Jul 24, 2014 07:15pm

Attacking players is damaging for the Palestinian cause.

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Talha

Jul 24, 2014 07:22pm

Not good to see people not involved in the oppression of Palestine bearing the brunt. However, I do not blame the angry Austrians. People all over the world (including me) are outraged by the oppressive actions of Israel against the poor and weak children, women, elderly and innocent Palestinians. Palestinians need support from the entire world.

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baakhlaq

Jul 24, 2014 07:54pm

Protesters hit the nail on the head and have successfully conveyed their feelings against the forces of repression and cruelty.

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sohn, Canada

Jul 24, 2014 07:57pm

Good Show of support for dying Palestinians. You cannot enjoy while your country is killing innocent children.

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Sunil

Jul 24, 2014 08:38pm

There must be international ban on Israeli football team rather attacking them.

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Rashid Ishaq

Jul 24, 2014 08:43pm

you are getting the message from the world no matter it is sports, politics or any other form; do you hear it

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Shuaib Bhat

Jul 24, 2014 09:11pm

While I am against this, it is sort of what Israel is doing to Palestinians.

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Amir Bangash

Jul 24, 2014 10:09pm

It is not the Palestinians reacting against Israeli team but it some thing that can be termed as natural reaction from common people who watch Israeli Government continuously committing atrocities against innocent people.

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guest

Jul 24, 2014 11:01pm

So the most scenic and peaceful place like salzburg is also a scene of mob...no wonder why anti-immigration sentiment is gaining popularity in europe. If they love palestine so much why did they get out of there in the first place.

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anony

Jul 24, 2014 11:31pm

Thank you Austria.

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anony

Jul 24, 2014 11:33pm

Although I agree that this is not a good step and not every Israeli should be held accountable, AND this might be a drawback for the Palestinians themselves,.....BUT...how much worse can it get. The world is doing absolutely NOTHING. People are dying every day. It simply cannot get any worse. Hence, I was very happy when I read this news.

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freePalestine

Jul 25, 2014 12:42am

That"s the kick of the match.

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Uxman Masood

Jul 25, 2014 12:52am

Hahaha good , kick them hard

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asif

Jul 25, 2014 12:58am

coz they all serve in israeli army

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Whatashame

Jul 25, 2014 01:01am

All Israeli Citizens 18 and over have to serve in the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) by that definition All Israelis are SOLDIERS.

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Sid

Jul 25, 2014 01:19am

patience out of control,will not blame them.

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samad

Jul 25, 2014 01:40am

It shows the anger of civilized world against the atrocities of Israel.

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AbbasToronto

Jul 25, 2014 01:49am

Misguided. But I hope the players take back the message that they are not welcome around the world. The occupation must end. The interloper Jews must go back to where they came from.

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Muhammad

Jul 25, 2014 02:07am

This is wrong.The sportsmen weren't involved in the Gaza conflict but one can't blame the protestants completely because anyone would become desperate for justice when their homeland is bombed for no reason & their women and children are killed without count.

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Adil Jadoon

Jul 25, 2014 02:13am

@Aamir terrible thing to do but most Israelis do support what is happening in Gaza. Netanyahu is no peace maker and he is their choice. In a democracy all are responisble.

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Muhammad

Jul 25, 2014 02:16am

@Dhk Of course there is support for the Palestinians.Every nation demands that the bombing should stop.Even from my country a team of doctors was send to Palestine for medical help to the affected. I have seen multiple videos on the internet in which the Israel fighter jets are bombing the residential houses & even worship places without mercy.It's not even possible that all the videos could be fakes.

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Sajid

Jul 25, 2014 02:19am

Also do not forget the Israeli commandos that boarded a Turkish ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza and they shot several unarmed Turks and other aid workers. so there is some bad blood between Turks and Israelis

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gary

Jul 25, 2014 02:46am

@Haris Then don't blame others when they feel better when the opposite happens.

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gary

Jul 25, 2014 02:51am

@Muhammad There are ways to show your anger in a more civilized way. Hamas started the mess and they have to pay the price. Waste of life is sad, no matter who is dying. It is humans after all.

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gary

Jul 25, 2014 02:52am

@AbbasToronto Israelis are welcome everywhere except in the Muslim world.

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dyzney

Jul 25, 2014 01:04pm

what a shame, lack of torlerance, they only see/feel when it's happening to their kind, also why have they taken refuge go back to the country you love...if he has issues, why don't he join the army & fight

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Haris

Jul 26, 2014 12:51am

@gary What are you talking about? we are suppressed everywhere in the world, even after our contribution to the world( muslims). We made the foundations of science, maths and pretty much everything. I said I didn't agree with this but it makes me feel better because now Israel will realise the world really hates them

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Ahmed Ali

Jul 26, 2014 06:46am

Peaceful protest is the best way. They could have just held up their placards. With luck the camera would have caught them and their message successfully and effectively sent to fellow Austrians. But doing this only gave the opposite message. That Muslims are for violence and not peace.

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Aik_Paki

Jul 26, 2014 08:56am

@Aamir You are worried about the Palestinian cause. I am afraid soon no Plestinian will be left then what to do with the cause only. The send this cause to Saudi Kings and Al-Sissi who are indirectly supporting Israel with their silence.

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Aik_Paki

Jul 26, 2014 08:59am

Dawn will get a medal from the Israel and US to filter the comments and posting the comments that support Israel here.

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Sumit Mazumdar

Jul 26, 2014 09:05am

In the 1968 olympics close to two dozen Israeli athletes were taken as hostages by Palestinian terrorists, In the end these young people were murdered. That was the end of the support for the Palestinian cause from the Europeans for a generation. These action by the Turkish protesters had the same effect I am sure.

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thinker

Jul 26, 2014 12:23pm

All with interest of Hamas, not for Palestine people

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Jul 26, 2014 03:04pm

@Sunil Yeah! Israeli football had been boycotted by the Arabs in the past, but thanks to the Europeans,since then,they have been competing in the euro footbal championship to upgrade their footbal play game quality.Well, you cannot solve yr political issues in the football field?Those young guys are not mentally, psychologically matured enough to demonstrate their anger under the heat of passion rather it should be protested under the wisdom of pen which is more effected like the europeans and the jews all over the worlds.You just pick up any europeans media which is filled up on heading with Isralelis atrocities towards Gazans.Take care

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punit

Jul 26, 2014 04:50pm

its nothing pious palestinians have done much praiseworthy things during Munich Olympic ! AH THE DAYS OF GLORY !

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Sarwat

Jul 26, 2014 08:46pm

In Israel every citizen is some how associated with the military, either they are reservists or in active duty. Hence everyone gets the military training, obviously there are very few exceptions, most likely these players have had military training. Zionists have managed to kill hundreds of civilians these guys are just beating these guys up to send a message.

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Abbas

Jul 27, 2014 04:46pm

@humanity most of these sportsmen have served in the military like all israeli people over 18. Serve with your country, suffer with your country.

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