On the day of the friendly match between the Palestinian national team and the Basque Country national team, the northern Spanish city of Bilbao became a stage for widespread solidarity with the Palestinian people, as sport intersected with the humanitarian and political scene in an exceptional moment that brought thousands together under one slogan: Freedom for Palestine:
On Saturday 15 November, sport transcended competition. Bilbao took a clear moral stance, declaring that stadiums can become spaces for justice and that football can champion the causes of the people and give voice to the oppressed.
The large crowd was not just there to support two teams, but to collectively express their refusal to remain silent and their insistence that Gaza is not far away and that Palestine — with all its pain and resilience — is present in the heart of Europe. On that day, the Basques and Palestinians came together around a meaning broader than sport: the meaning of freedom.
The streets of Bilbao speak for Gaza
Hours before the match kicked off at San Mamés Stadium, the streets of Bilbao were filled with Palestinian flags raised in a huge march that started in the city centre and headed towards the stadium. The scene resembled a massive popular event, with citizens of all ages and backgrounds responding to calls from Basque human rights organisations to express their solidarity with the Palestinians amid the war on Gaza.
Participants chanted slogans calling for an end to what they described as genocide, for those responsible for the crimes to be held accountable, and for pressure to be put on Israel to comply with international law. The banners carried by the demonstrators clearly reflected the general mood in the city, with messages ranging from ‘Stop Genocide’ to ‘Free Palestine.’ The Palestinian and Basque flags were displayed side by side, symbolising the intersection between the struggles of the two peoples.
Local authorities confirmed that they had granted permits for the march and that the Basque regional police accompanied the demonstrators to ensure the smooth running of the event, which was evident in the organisation and discipline during the march.
A humanitarian moment before a sporting one
On the pitch, both teams played beautiful football, but the bigger picture was off the pitch.
The match ended with a 3-0 victory for the Basques, but no one on the pitch paid attention to the score. The event was not about competition, but about human solidarity.
It was clear to everyone – from the fans to the players – that Palestine had emerged victorious in spirit, even if it lost on the scoreboard.
Solidarity was not limited to the streets; the Palestinian team received an exceptional welcome upon its arrival in Bilbao. Fans gathered to greet the players, take photos with them, and present them with traditional Basque berets, in a scene that reflected the depth of popular sympathy for Palestine.
The team’s pre-match training sessions also saw a remarkable turnout, accompanied by chants of ‘Palestine’ and waving flags, making the players feel that they were playing a match with a significance that went beyond the pitch:
The stadium turns into a canvas of solidarity
As soon as the players entered the stadium, it became clear that this was not just a friendly match. The stands were filled with Basque fans waving Palestinian flags, while a joint tifo displaying the colours of both countries was displayed. Before the starting whistle, the players stood holding a large banner calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza, amid applause and cheers from the crowd.
The two teams exchanged symbolic gifts: the Palestinians presented keffiyehs, and the Basques presented white roses, in a message of peace consistent with the overall tone of the match. The cultural dimension was not absent from the event, as the match was attended by local artists and musical groups who participated in short performances that supported the message of the event.
A sporting competition in a spirit of brotherhood
On a technical level, the match started at a good pace for both sides, but the Basque team had the upper hand, successfully capitalising on their chances to win the match 3-0. It was clear that the result was not the focus of attention, neither for the fans, nor for the organisers, nor even for the two teams, as the spirit of solidarity dominated every aspect of the match.
After the match, the Palestinian players expressed their pride in participating in this historic event, emphasising that their message had been heard and that their presence on the pitch was, as some of them described it, ‘a voice for Gaza.’
A political and humanitarian event for Gaza in Bilbao under the guise of sport
The choice of the Basque Country for this match was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. The region, which has a long history of struggle for its identity and independence, sees Palestine as a cause close to its heart. Local organisations drew parallels between the tragedy of the Palestinian people and that of the city of Guernica, which was bombed during the Spanish Civil War, giving the day added humanitarian significance.
The match also received widespread attention from the Spanish and international media, which described it as ‘a day of solidarity expressed through sport’ and a rare moment when a humanitarian cause was able to make its presence felt in a European football stadium of this magnitude.
Palestine left San Mamés with something more important than goals. It left with a new voice, broad popular support, and a humanitarian image that reached millions around the world.
The match was a platform on which the Basques and Palestinians together sent a single message:
Sport can break the silence, and when solidarity comes out of the stands, it becomes a political stance that cannot be ignored.
Featured image via the Canary
By Alaa Shamali
This post was originally published on Canary.