By Tuncay Şahin
All eyes are on the upcoming football match between Turkish club Besiktas JK and the Israeli team Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
The Europa League clash was supposed to take place in Istanbul, but the venue has been shifted to Hungary, where the game will be played in an empty stadium on November 28.
Huseyin Mertoglu, a 37-year-old diehard Besiktas supporter, expressed his frustrations at what he perceives as a double standard and unjust treatment by the authorities, and being penalised for expressing solidarity with Palestinians.
“Even though they saw Israeli fans going to the Netherlands and causing trouble, they’re punishing us instead of them,” Mertoglu said, questioning UEFA’s decision to restrict Turkish fans from attending the game in Hungary.
For Mertoglu, the incident is symbolic and an arena where the pressing issues of the day resonate.
“It’s definitely not just about football,” he remarked, adding that the perceived indifference of European nations toward Palestinian suffering makes the Palestinian personal for him.
“Our country’s strong sensitivity on this issue is clear, and this sensitivity is high among us fans, too. But that doesn’t mean we want to harm others as fans.”
Last Thursday’s clashes took place before and after Maccabi's match against Ajax in Amsterdam.
Palestine: ‘a shared sense of humanity’
Mertoglu expressed concern over the action of Israeli supporters, suggesting they highlight a troubling undertone among some fans.
“As seen in the Netherlands, it’s clear we’re not dealing with people who are simply here to watch a game.”
When asked if football fans can truly separate politics from sports, Mertoglu responded, “We can’t be so indifferent. Actually, it’s not about politics. We’re facing a situation that wounds the conscience.”
He added that it would be impossible to watch a game “as if nothing has happened,” underscoring the intense emotions among fans who see the Palestinian cause as a humanitarian crisis.
Commenting on recent reports of anti-Arab chants and the removal of Palestinian flags by Israeli supporters in Amsterdam, Mertoglu expressed disappointment.
“It’s inexcusable,” he stated. “It’s clear that the resentment in state policies has infected so-called fans who otherwise would go just to watch a match.”
For many Turkish fans, he explained, supporting Palestine is about “a shared sense of humanity.”
He suggested that displaying Palestinian flags during the match, even as a simple act, could send a meaningful message.
‘Football is not just football’
Selcuk Cayir, another vocal Besiktas fan, echoed these sentiments. “Football is not just football. Nor is it about violence and fighting.”
He condemned the recent incidents in Amsterdam as evidence of what he sees as “Israeli fans fully embracing the bloodshed and hate policies” of their government. Cayir was particularly incensed by the attacks on buildings with Palestinian flags and anti-Arab chants.
“They couldn’t even tolerate Palestinian flags and attacked buildings with flags, showing their hatred toward Palestinians who are already facing genocide by the Israeli state,” he said.
For Cayir, the Palestinian struggle transcends politics, making it essential for fans like him to signal their support. “Football may not be about politics, but the oppression Palestinians have faced, especially over the past year, is beyond politics,” he said.
“While supporting our team, we also feel we must show our stance against this oppression.”
