From the stands of the Celtic FC match against SK Slovan Bratislava at the UEFA Champions League in Scotland, the Scottish club’s fans’ message of solidarity with Palestine was loud and clear: “They can oppress you. They can imprison you, but they will never break your spirit.”
Pledging support for the entirety of Palestine, their banners read, “Gaza, Jenin, Tulkarm, Nablus, you’ll never walk alone.”
This comes amid the ongoing Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, which has so far killed more than 41,000 Palestinians. It also comes amid almost daily Israeli military raids on the cities and towns of the occupied West Bank.
Celtic FC’s Green Brigade has a well-established and vocal relationship with the Palestinian cause. The ultras group has frequently displayed solidarity with Palestine through banners, chants, and demonstrations during matches.
One of the most notable instances occurred in 2016 when the Green Brigade raised Palestinian flags during a UEFA Champions League qualifying match against an Israeli Hapoel Be’er Sheva team. This act of support for Palestine resulted in UEFA issuing a fine to Celtic for allegedly breaching regulations that prohibit political statements at games.
In response to the fine, the Green Brigade launched a fundraising campaign called “Match the Fine for Palestine,” aiming to raise the same amount as the fine to donate to Palestinian charities. The campaign quickly surpassed its target, raising significant funds that were used to support projects such as medical aid and football facilities in Palestinian communities.
The Aida Celtic football academy, based in Aida Refugee Camp in Beit Lahm in the occupied West Bank, was born from the group’s initiative.
The Green Brigade has continuously voiced its support for Palestinian rights at various matches, often displaying banners with slogans such as “Free Palestine” or Palestinian flags.
In 2018, during the Scottish Cup Final on May 18, the Green Brigade unveiled banners at the 70th minute commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Nakba (catastrophe), with a message urging to “End genocide. End Zionism.”
Following the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, the Green Brigade remained active. At the match against Kilmarnock that same day, surrounded by Palestinian flags, their banners displayed, “Free Palestine. Victory To The Resistance!”
On October 25, 2023, thousands of Celtic supporters again raised the Palestinian flag during a UEFA Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. The fans also dedicated the iconic song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” in solidarity with the people of Gaza.
