Israelis outraged after UEFA displays 'Stop Killing Children' banner at soccer match

After the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) displayed a banner partially aimed at Israel on Wednesday, a number of Israelis criticized the organization.

“STOP KILLING CHILDREN. STOP KILLING CIVILIANS,” read the banner, which appeared at the UEFA Super Cup in Udine, Italy.

The UEFA’s 𝕏 official account later posted an image of the banner, saying that “the message is loud and clear. A banner. A call.”

Ynet News reported that several “Israeli soccer figures” slammed UEFA’s decision to display the banner.

“This is UEFA’s hypocrisy – they completely ignored the massacre, rape and murder of children in Israel,” one unnamed official wrote, citing a report.

“They’ve taken a side, and this is just the first step,” he continued. “This is the start line. Where were they on October 7?”

Campaign Against Antisemitism also spoke out against the banner, saying that “this selective outrage tells us everything about the double standard that still poisons European discourse on Jews.”

According to UEFA, the banner was not directed only at Israel but at various ongoing conflicts in which children and civilians have been killed.

“Nine children who are refugees in Italy – coming from different conflict zones (Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Palestine and Ukraine) will also participate in the opening ceremony, displaying a banner ‘STOP KILLING CHILDREN – STOP KILLING CIVILIANS’ during the teams’ line-up,” UEFA explained in an announcement.

The event also involved the honoring of two Gazan children who were taken to Milan for treatment, the announcement further explained.

“12-year-old Tala is a young Palestinian girl with fragile health who was transferred to Milan to receive appropriate medical care, as the adequate equipment was lacking in Gaza after the start of the war,” the announcement stated, referring to Israel's war against the Hamas terrorist organization.

“Tala will be joined on the podium by 9-year-old Mohamed, who lost his parents during the war and was severely injured following an air strike,” the statement continued.

While some viewed the banner as unfairly targeting Israel, others faulted it for not being explicit enough in opposing the country.

The BBC network quoted a journalist who campaigns for Amnesty International, saying that “to name the crime but not the perpetrator is an act of cowardice.”