Liverpool removes flag of murdered Israelis, allows Palestinian flag

European soccer leagues resumed after the national team break, but not without controversy following the recent war in Israel and Gaza.

The Liverpool derby, where Liverpool hosted Everton, marked the start of the matches in England. Before the game, a minute's silence honored the victims from both sides. However, Palestinian flags were displayed in the stands at Anfield during this time, accompanied by chants of "Free Palestine."

It should be noted that the Premier League has prohibited the display of both Palestinian and Israeli flags. Tottenham also informed its fans that Israeli flags would be banned at their game against Fulham on Sunday.

Liverpool sizes flag of Israelis and fans murdered by Hamas

A Liverpool fan, Rotem Zamora, took to social media to report that a flag commemorating four Liverpool fans who were murdered on October 7 was raised before the game, only to be confiscated by the club moments before kickoff.

זה הדגל שהונף באנפילד דקות לפני שריקת הפתיחה בדרבי.דגל פשוט, לזכר חברים לקבוצה שנרצחו. אין פה פרובוקציה, אין פה שום אמירה פוליטית. כלום. דגל לזכרם.הדגל הזה הוחרם על ידי המועדון דקות אחדות לפני הפתיחה, עוד לא ברור באיזו טענה אבל זה לא משנה.תכירו, מועדון של בוגדים.יאללה… pic.twitter.com/avSBRL7Znx

— Rotem Zmora (@RotemYNWA) October 21, 2023

In memory of the war victims, Everton players wore black ribbons. The club specifically paid tribute to the Kotz family from Kfar Aza, consisting of Aviv and Livnat and their children Rotem, Yonatan, and Yiftah, who fell victim to Hamas terrorists on October 7. The Kotz family were ardent Everton supporters and had recently visited Goodison Park to watch a match against Arsenal.