Palestine’s flag most waved flag at Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022

Palestine’s flag became the most waved flag at the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 despite not playing matches.

The Palestinian cause has received strong backing and recognition so far during the World Cup in Qatar, with many fans taking the opportunity to display the flag during matches.

With the whole world watching, Palestinians marked their presence by waving flags of all sizes at various venues and football matches. Arabs from other nationalities have also shown their solidarity by waving the Palestinian flag in matches and in the streets, showcasing Arab unity and solidarity amid Israel’s ongoing brutal occupation of Palestinian territory, according to Al-Jazeera.

Palestinians have told Al Jazeera that the tournament has given them a chance to raise awareness over the Israeli occupation, as well as to highlight Palestinian culture and history.

The large Palestinian community in Doha knew that having the globe’s attention on Qatar during the World Cup, the world’s biggest sporting event, was an opportunity, and one they do not get very often.

“The World Cup has given us a platform to make our voice heard,” Bader, a Palestinian based in Qatar, told Al Jazeera during a night of festivities in Lusail, home to Qatar’s biggest stadium, which will host the World Cup final.

Most Palestinians were out to make their presence felt, not just with the flags, but with their attire as well.

Bader wore a T-shirt with a map of Palestine and “Free Palestine” emblazoned on it, and had a Palestinian keffiyeh (scarf) and flag wrapped around his neck.

“People from all over the world are here in Qatar and when they see us dressed like this they come up to us and ask where we are from, since Palestine is not participating in the World Cup,” said Bader.

“It gives us a chance to acquaint them with the situation in our homeland, show them our culture and narrate our history.

They know about Israel but not about Palestine. There was no Israel until it occupied Palestine.”

Nearby, a group of men and women gathered in a circle and a loud cheer went up as music began playing from a speaker. As the lyrics rang out, they began singing and dancing along to a popular Palestinian song called Dammi Falastini (My Blood is Palestinian).

Bader explains that the song tells the story of Palestine.

“The lyrics are heart-wrenching and sad, but because the Israeli occupation and our inability to be in our homeland is a part of our lives, we celebrate our identity by singing and dancing along to such songs.”

Bader, who was barely audible over the loud singing and cheering, pointed out a few Moroccan, Tunisian, Egyptian and Qatari flags amongst the crowd.

“They are not Palestinian but when they hear this song or spot our flag, they are pulled towards it, as being Muslims they support our cause and feel our pain,” he explained before going on to join the group.

The local people of Qatar have turned the #WorldCup into a Palestine festival and we love to see it! #FreePalestine #Qatar2022 pic.twitter.com/nQg4ZFI6By

— #Africa4Palestine (@Africa4Pal) November 22, 2022

The Palestinian support has not just been limited to singing and dancing.

Social media posts show fans who, upon realising that they are being interviewed by Israeli media, have walked away from reporters. Meanwhile, others have seized the opportunity and shouted “viva Palestine!” into their microphones.

These English fans left an Israeli journalist red faced after delivering a message while live on air from Qatar.

What would your message be if you were interviewed? pic.twitter.com/4WJ8cbBvaf

— Doha News (@dohanews) December 5, 2022

For the first time, direct flights between Tel Aviv and Doha have brought fans to the World Cup, despite the lack of official ties between Israel and Qatar.

After defeating Spain in the pre-quarterfinals and Portugal in the quarter-finals, the players of Morocco, the first Arab team to make it to the semi-finals, did not forget to express solidarity with Palestine while celebrating their victory and took a group photo with the Palestinian flag.