Current sectionIsrael NewsIsrael's soccer federation hit back, saying the money should go to condemning the October 7 massacre or freeing hostages, 'not to terrorist organizations or whale hunting'Share to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeIsrael playing against Norway at the Euro 2013 Under-21 soccer tournament in Netanya. Credit: ReutersIsrael playing against Norway at the Euro 2013 Under-21 soccer tournament in Netanya. Credit: ReutersAugust 21, 2025Norway's soccer federation will donate profits from its World Cup qualifying match against Israel in Oslo on October 11 to humanitarian aid in Gaza, saying it "cannot remain indifferent" to the suffering of civilians there."We want to give the profits to a humanitarian organization that saves lives in Gaza every day and provides active emergency aid on the ground," Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) President Lise Klaveness said Tuesday. "Neither we nor other organizations can remain indifferent to the humanitarian suffering and disproportionate attacks that the civilian population in Gaza has been subjected to for a long time. Israel is part of FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), and we must deal with that."Haaretz PodcastWhat's it like to be an Israeli celebrity who speaks out against the Gaza war?Haaretz PodcastWhat's it like to be an Israeli celebrity who speaks out against the Gaza war?total-- : --time0:00Klaveness, a lawyer and former footballer, has previously criticized human rights abuses in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, countries that were awarded World Cup hosting rights.Israel's football association hit back with a barbed statement, first published in Britain's Telegraph. It said the money should instead go to "a condemnation by the [NFF] of the October 7 massacre that claimed the lives of hundreds of Israeli citizens and children, or action in favor of the release of 50 hostages, and not be transferred to terrorist organizations or to whale hunting." An Israeli Football Association source added, "We are also aiming to gain 3 points" in the match.Lise Klaveness, the President of the Norwegian Football Federation. Credit: Hassan Ammar/APLise Klaveness, the President of the Norwegian Football Federation. Credit: Hassan Ammar/APThe Norwegian federation said it is coordinating with UEFA and local authorities to ensure security at the match. UEFA regulations prohibit political messages in stadiums, though the governing body has recently allowed displays highlighting civilian suffering, including a Super Cup banner reading "Stop Killing Children – Stop Killing Civilians" and the participation of two refugee children from Gaza in the medal ceremony.Israel lost 2-4 to Norway in March in Budapest, where it staged its "home" qualifier due to the war. That game, too, was accompanied by Norwegian statements that sparked controversy in Israel.Ahead of the March 2025 match, Norwegian captain Martin Ødegaard questioned UEFA's decision to allow Israel to continue participating amid the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict, saying the team had to "deal with the fact that UEFA decided the match would go ahead." Israeli captain Eli Dasa responded sharply: "I wonder if those criticising us in Norway can even find Gaza on a map. We have hostages there, starving under horrific conditions."In the NewsOrthodox Rabbi at U.S. Christian Prayer Rally: 'Antisemitism Is un-American'Huge Fireball in the Israeli Sky? Just Preparations for Possible War With IranThey Attempted to Lynch an Arab Man on Camera. 5 Years On, Most Are Still FreeUltra-Orthodox Push Knesset Dissolution as Netanyahu Tries to Pass Draft BillIDF Seizes Over 20 Gaza-bound Flotilla Boats in Int'l Waters, Organizers SayRemembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIHundreds Protest at New York Times HQ Over Column Alleging Abuse by IsraelisStarlink Users, Beware – Israeli Tech Can Reveal Your IdentityEverybody Loses in the Cynical Israeli-Palestinian Sexual Violence CompetitionWelcome to the Most Shameful Day in the Jewish CalendarIsraeli Teens Storm Muslim Quarter in Old City, Haaretz Reporter AttackedIsrael Attacks New York Times for Report on Sexual Violence by Israeli Forces