The Horrific New Normal
World Cup Chaos: Pro-Palestine Riots Erupt as Italy Faces Israel in Udine
Eyewitness videos captured the scene: flares lighting up the night sky, Palestinian flags waving wildly, and chants echoing through the historic streets as marchers demanded FIFA boot Israel from international competitions over its policies in Gaza and Judea and Samaria.
What was supposed to be a straightforward World Cup qualifier between Italy and Israel turned chaotic on the streets of this northern Italian city, as thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators clashed with riot police in a fiery protest against Israel's participation in the match. The tension boiled over late Tuesday evening, with protesters reportedly ripping up barricades and hurling them at armored police vehicles. Law enforcement fired back with tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd, leading to several arrests and a handful of injuries on both sides.
Organizers from groups like the Committee for Palestine-Udine estimated the turnout at over 10,000, more than the crowd inside the Friuli Stadium for the game itself.
The rally started peacefully in the afternoon, snaking through Udine's city center with signs reading "Kick Zionists out of football" and calls for a boycott, but things escalated near the stadium as kickoff approached.
Police, beefed up with snipers on rooftops and extra units from across the region, had braced for trouble amid ongoing global tensions over the Israel-Hamas war.
Inside the arena, the atmosphere was just as charged. Italy cruised to a 3-0 victory, sealing Israel's exit from World Cup contention, but the game was punctuated by boos during the Israeli national anthem and pro-Palestine banners slipping past security.
No major disruptions hit the pitch, but the heavy security presence, described by some as turning Udine into a "war zone," underscored the event's volatility.
Italian authorities are investigating property damage from the clashes, while FIFA has stayed mum.