The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported a state of anger and resentment in Israel following the remarkable scene in the stands of the Cairo derby.
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Al-Ahly and Zamalek fans united in messages and chants related to the anniversary of the October War, which included sharp criticism of Israel.
The newspaper said that fans of the two clubs gathered in the stadium stands for the first time in 14 years, in a rare scene between the two traditional rivals, to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the October 1973 war, while the match ended with Al-Ahly winning 2-0.
Haaretz noted that the result of the match seemed secondary to what was witnessed in the stands, as fans of both teams raised banners recalling the October War, including a banner for Al-Ahly fans indicating that 8,000 fans donated blood during the war, and another for Zamalek fans that read: “The October victory is always in our hearts.”
The newspaper added that the fans of the two clubs, despite the historical rivalry between them, united in chants and songs that included insults to Israel and the Jews, especially during the 73rd minute of the match, in reference to the year 1973.
According to the report, Egyptian television avoided showing some banners during the broadcast, while the volume was lowered during anti-Israel chants on the "On Sport" network.
Haaretz linked this scene to the history of the rivalry between Al-Ahly and Zamalek, considering the meeting of the two clubs' fans to be an exceptional event given the depth of the rivalry between the two biggest clubs in Egypt.
The newspaper discussed the history of the two clubs, noting that Al-Ahly was founded in 1907 in the face of the British colonial atmosphere, while Zamalek was founded four years later and was historically associated with the elite and diplomats, before bearing the name of King Farouk for a period of its history.
She pointed out that the rivalry between the two clubs has gone beyond the boundaries of football to become a reflection of social divisions between different segments of Egyptian society, while the national team, according to the report, represents a unifying space for Egyptians away from the division between the two clubs.
Haaretz also reviewed the events of the Port Said match on February 1, 2012, which resulted in the death of 74 Al-Ahly fans and the injury of more than 500 others, noting the multiple accounts regarding the circumstances of the events and the parties responsible for them.
The newspaper noted that public activity in Egyptian stadiums was suspended for a period, before fans gradually returned, leading to the implementation of a system to identify fans before the 2026/2027 season, as part of the new security measures.
Haaretz concluded its report by noting the presence of about 50,000 fans at the Cairo derby, coinciding with the anniversary of the October War and the anniversary of the events of October 7, considering that the match presented a rare scene of unity between the fans of the two biggest rivals in Egyptian and Arab football on an issue related to the conflict with Israel.
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