Israeli football clubs to play European competition matches in Serbia

By Can Erozden

Israeli football clubs will travel to Serbia for the remainder of their home fixtures in European competitions because of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, UEFA said Thursday.

"No UEFA competition matches shall be played in Israel until further notice due to the current security situation," UEFA Executive Committee said in a statement.

European football's governing body said in the second-tier UEFA Europa League matchday five, Maccabi Haifa from Israel will face French club Rennes at Belgrade's Rajko Mitic Stadium on Nov. 30.

It said Maccabi Tel Aviv will first take on Ukraine's Zorya Luhansk at TSC Arena in Backa Topola on Nov. 25, and will then play Belgium's Gent in the same stadium Dec. 14 in the third-tier UEFA Europa Conference League's matchdays three and six.

"The matches will be played behind closed doors," UEFA added.

Separately the Israeli national football team chose to play their home matches at the EURO 2024 qualifiers in Hungary's Felcsut for the same reason.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group, Hamas, on Oct. 7.

At least 11,500 Palestinians have since been killed, including more than 7,800 women and children, and over 29,200 injured, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques, and churches, have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel's relentless air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.