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On a “mission” in Spain, Palestinian national team coach Ehab Abu Jazar and his players are set to play symbolic friendly matches against the Basque Country and Catalan national teams, hoping to raise support for safety and freedom for their people.
Wearing a black tracksuit and whistle, Abu Jazar led training on Friday at Lezama, Athletic Bilbao’s training centre, preparing his squad for what will be far more than a football match at San Mamés — where 50,000 supporters are expected to rally behind the Palestinian cause on Saturday.
As seen during the pro-Palestinian demonstrations that disrupted cycling’s Vuelta a España Grand Tour earlier this year, the region has shown strong solidarity. Saturday’s match will also mark the team’s first appearance in Europe.
Ranked 98th by FIFA, Palestine saw their hopes of reaching their first-ever World Cup end during the third round of the Asian qualifiers this summer.
For Abu Jazar, the mission carries deep personal weight. He has lost many family members in the Israel-Hamas war, and some of his relatives remain in danger.
“I am from the Gaza Strip, from a large family in the Gaza Strip. We have almost 200 martyrs from the family. My own house was destroyed in this war.
“My relatives, my mother, until today are still living in a tent along with my brothers, my sisters, my cousins, my neighbours, my friends, and all of Gaza. So, emotionally and psychologically, it is extremely difficult,” he told AFP.
Most of the players have never been to Gaza. Some are based in Qatar, Chile, Iceland, or the United States.
They now represent what remains of Palestinian football — a sport devastated by two years of Israeli bombardment, which the Spanish government has described as genocide. Leagues have stopped, clubs have collapsed, and hundreds of athletes have been killed or injured, including legendary footballer Suleiman Al-Obeid, known as the “Palestinian Pele”. The Palestine Football Association said he died after Israel targeted civilians waiting for humanitarian aid.
“We are here on a mission,” Abu Jazar said, adjusting his keffiyeh.
“Our message to the whole world is this — put pressure on this occupation to stop this genocide.”
