Amnesty International Austria protests Israel match, calls for football bans over Gaza

At the UEFA Nations League match between Austria and Israel in Linz, Amnesty International Austria staged a visual protest, holding up a banner that read “End Genocide.” The NGO used the high-profile game to renew its call for UEFA and FIFA to suspend the Israel Football Association, arguing that the association continues to back illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories. Alexander Weihrauch, a campaigner for Amnesty Austria, said the demonstration is aimed at governments and sporting authorities that are aware of the Gaza situation yet remain inactive.

The organization first appealed to FIFA and UEFA in October 2025, a plea that FIFA dismissed in March 2026. In addition to the football bans, Amnesty is pressing Austria and other EU members to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement and to prohibit trade with entities involved in settlement activities.