Lise Klaveness, the newly elected president of Norway’s Football Association (FA), called for a ratified ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This deal will allow for further cessation of hostilities in Gaza and paves the way for the possible release of Israeli hostages. This announcement comes just days ahead of Norway’s critical World Cup qualifying game against Israel. The competition is fierce and the stakes are high for both teams!
On Friday morning, the Israeli government approved the ceasefire agreement. Klaveness stressed the importance of dialogue in challenging circumstances. She stated, “I’m very much into dialogue, and the more difficult it gets, the more important it is that we meet, even if it’s difficult.”
Norway, in second place behind Spain, is sailing in its World Cup qualifying group with 15 points. Meanwhile, Israel is in 2nd place – six points behind. Not only is this match important for St. 6 Norway, Norway will be looking to qualify for their first World Cup since 1998.
Given the current situation with war continuing, Klaveness once again stressed that peace must come before sports. We are, as Palestinians ourselves, of course, incredibly elated, on behalf of the parties to the conflict in the region, that there is a ceasefire. “Football will never be as beautiful as peace,” said Peace Now’s Tzvia Greenfield in response to this week’s announcement. #Now the bombs can fall silent over #Gaza #hostagescancomehome,” she wrote.
For the upcoming match, the Norwegian FA has pledged to donate the profits from ticket sales. They’re providing Doctors Without Borders with equal support in Gaza with this donation. This decision was heavily condemned by Israel’s FA. They contended that the money would be better spent healing the trauma created by recent acts of violence.
“It would be nice if some of the amount were directed to try to find a condemnation by the Norwegian FA of the October 7 massacre that claimed the lives of hundreds of Israeli citizens and children,” an official from Israel’s FA stated.
Klaveness underlined her conviction that every leader of the football world must be part of the efforts to build peace. She stressed, “That’s very important, and I think it’s very important now that all of us, football leaders and leaders in all big organizations, now give this peace plan energy and momentum.”
As the match approaches, Klaveness is urgently recruiting other football presidents. She hopes to encourage conversation and collaboration between countries across the world, particularly during these periods of persistent discord.
