The Night the Standings Went Silent for Hate
During a La Liga clash between Osasuna and Getafe, the atmosphere in the stands was overshadowed by an extreme act of incitement. In a moment that stunned viewers, supporters unfurled a large banner reading in Basque, “israel suntsitu” — a phrase translated asDestroy Israel— and flew Palestinian flags alongside it. The moment, captured on TV and widely shared on social media, marked a troubling breach of sportsmanship and safety, turning a night of football into a focal point for antisemitic rhetoric.
The match itself saw Osasuna’s side win 2-1, but what unfolded in the stands dominated headlines. The banner’s appearance, paired with hostile chants that echoed through the stadium and onto broadcasts, raised urgent questions about the tone and consequences of political expressions inside football venues. As the crowd’s volume rose, the tension was palpable, with security and officials forced to respond as the chants grew louder and more aggressive.
Chants, Aggression, and the Threat to Players
From the opening minutes, anti-Israel chants were heard in the terraces, accompanied by calls alleging crimes in Gaza that crossed into dehumanizing language. The referee paused play after objects — including tennis balls hurled onto the pitch by some supporters — highlighted the volatility in the stands. The incident illustrated how political demonstrations can spill into physical space within a stadium, creating an unsafe environment for players, staff, and other fans.
Weeks after a devastating attack in the region, Osasuna supporters intensified their expressed solidarity with the Palestinian side. The online space amplified the peril, with posts showing a player who represents an Israeli club—Shon Weissman—being subjected to threats. Some posts circulated a controversial image combining symbols, and the accompanying call to suppress or even destroy Israel added another layer of hostility directed at individuals inside the sport.
Responsibility, Response, and the Call for Action
The reaction from Spain’s football authorities has been widely debated. The federation took action only months later, a move many observers viewed as insufficient and delayed. Critics argued that such sanctions failed to deter future incidents, to protect players at risk, or to address the larger climate of antisemitism that can flourish in and around football arenas. This episode has reignited discussions about how sports institutions confront hate speech, intimidation, and political extremism within stadiums.
A Wider Context: Antisemitism in European Football
Osasuna’s incident sits within a broader pattern of anti-Israel demonstrations and antisemitic rhetoric observed at European football matches. While fans have the right to political expression, there is a consensus that hate speech, threats, and calls for violence have no place in sport. Leagues across Europe are being pressured to implement stronger safeguarding measures that protect players and fans, uphold human dignity, and uphold the integrity of the game.
What Needs to Change
Experts and advocacy groups call for decisive, transparent action: zero-tolerance policies and meaningful sanctions for clubs that permit hate speech; independent investigations into incidents; mandatory training for stewards and fans on recognizing antisemitism and xenophobia; clearer reporting channels; and robust security measures to prevent threats against players. The goal is not to suppress political discourse but to ensure football remains a space free from dehumanization and violence.
Conclusion
La Liga and its clubs must translate concern into concrete changes that protect participants and fans alike. The Osasuna incident should serve as a turning point—a catalyst for stronger rules, faster responses, and a renewed commitment to ensuring that sport remains a force for unity rather than a vehicle for hate. Only through accountable action and sustained education can football preserve its spirit and safety for everyone in the stadium and watching around the world.
