Globally, footballers and supporters are receiving backlash for showing support for Palestine. Meanwhile, thousands of people flocked to Qatar’s Education City Stadium to offer assistance. They also aid in the fund-raising efforts for Palestinians who are the targets of Israel‘s Gaza conflict.
Enthusiasts waving the Palestinian flag and wearing Palestinian-themed clothing descended upon the arena.
The Qatar Foundation organized the charity competition, Stand with Palestine. It was inspired by a project started by a group of students who wanted to raise funds and bring attention about the Gaza crisis by selling tickets. Some of the Palestinian pupils in charge of planning the event stated that the game had been organized “for the children of Palestine.”
International football players and pupils from two different schools in Qatar made up the teams that played in the match. Among them were Soufiane Boufal of Morocco, Javi Martinez, a former Spanish World Cup winner, and multiple members of the Qatar national squad. One squad was from Qatar, and the other represented Palestine.
Even with international and local celebrities in attendance, the supporters inside the 40,000-seat stadium kept their attention on the main event of the evening. They shouted their voices in support of the Gaza population while waving the Palestinian flag.
Pro football players took to the field prior to kickoff, interacting with spectators by signing autographs and striking poses for pictures.
A well-known song blasted from the PA system, quickly causing the audience to rise to its feet as the players returned to their dressing rooms and the spectators waited for the game to begin. Supporters of different ages, socioeconomic classes, and nationalities sung and danced to the well-known Palestinian song “Dammi Falasteeni” (my blood is Palestinian).
A Voice for Gaza
The enthusiastic singing of the song’s chorus by the crowd moved the Palestinians in the stands.
A Doha-based Palestinian man told reporters that he is thrilled to see every one of these individuals, whether they are Palestinian nationals or foreigners, backing the struggle of Palestine.
The man revealed to his five fellow Palestinians how their countrymen muster the bravery to oppose Israel’s annexation of their territory while waving a huge Palestinian flag. He made reference to social media videos of Palestinian children promising to persevere in the face of hardship, saying, “The courage and resistance you see is something all Palestinians grow up with.”
They were raised with the mental fortitude to realize that Gaza is their property and that they will need to recapture it after the war.
In addition to the Palestinian nationals in the audience, everyone was experiencing intense emotions. For Filipino Chique Leo, the goal was to demonstrate to the “vile” leaders of the world that Palestinian people are not helpless.
Both the amount of money raised and the number of spectators increased as kickoff drew near. By the conclusion of the game, $5.5 million had been brought up, according to the organizers.
The passionate audience, which chanted “Palestine!” throughout the game, was in no mood for the on-field activity. The sound of drums was followed by the roars of “Falasteen,” and hundreds of flags were hoisted simultaneously, transforming Mexican waves into Palestinian ones.
Palestine prevailed 4–3 (after a penalty shootout) to win the game. It was difficult to determine which squad was representing the home crowd, though. To voice the sound of Palestine and Palestinians, athletes from both teams gathered together.
