Amnesty International Protests During Austria vs. Israel UEFA Nations League Match

The organization is urging UEFA and FIFA to suspend the Israel Football Association (IFA) based on evidence suggesting the IFA supports illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).

Alexander Weihrauch, a campaigner at Amnesty International Austria, stated, “Today, thousands of people watched the Austria vs. Israel match in Linz. For a moment, we directed their gaze towards Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where death and suffering continue despite the so-called ceasefire.”

Weihrauch criticized numerous governments and sporting authorities for their inaction regarding the situation in Gaza, asserting that silence surrounding Israel’s ongoing actions against Palestinians perpetuates impunity and suffering.

Amnesty International has previously written to FIFA and UEFA in October 2025, calling for the suspension of the IFA unless clubs from illegal settlements in the OPT were banned from competing in Israeli leagues. However, in March 2026, FIFA announced no action would be taken against the IFA.

This stance by FIFA has been characterized as legitimizing Israel’s occupation and contributing to human rights violations against Palestinians, including genocide and apartheid, while disregarding the International Court of Justice’s 2024 Advisory Opinion.

Amnesty International is also advocating for the Austrian government and EU member states to support the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and impose trade bans on entities responsible for international crimes against Palestinians. Earlier in September, 12 states, including eight EU member states, agreed to adopt restrictions on goods from illegal Israeli settlements, though Austria did not participate in this initiative.