Event
At the 76th FIFA Congress in Canada, Palestine FA President Jibril Rajoub refused to stand close to or shake hands with Israel FA Vice-President Basim Suliman. FIFA President Gianni Infantino attempted to bring the two together, but Rajoub declined, stating he could not shake the hand of someone he believed was whitewashing Israeli fascism and genocide. Palestinian FA Vice President Susan Shalabi criticised Infantino's gesture as negating Rajoub's speech regarding West Bank settlement clubs. The incident follows a recent appeal by the Palestinian Football Association against FIFA's decision not to sanction Israeli clubs based in West Bank settlements.
2 published stories · fifa-congress · source reliability 50%
FIFA President Gianni Infantino attempts to bridge the divide on stage, but the Palestinian Football Association maintains its stance against clubs based in West Bank settlements following a recent legal challenge.
Background
At the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, a tense confrontation occurred between Palestine FA President Jibril Rajoub and Israel FA Vice-President Basim Suliman. Rajoub refused to stand near or shake hands with Suliman, citing his belief that the latter was complicit in whitewashing Israeli fascism and genocide. FIFA President Gianni Infantino attempted to mediate by physically guiding Rajoub toward Suliman, a gesture criticised by Palestinian FA Vice-President Susan Shalabi as disregarding Rajoub's preceding speech on West Bank settlement clubs. This incident follows a recent appeal by the Palestinian Football Association to the Court of Arbitration for Sport challenging FIFA's refusal to sanction Israeli clubs based in West Bank settlements.
At the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, a tense confrontation occurred between Palestine FA President Jibril Rajoub and Israel FA Vice-President Basim Suliman. Rajoub refused to stand near or shake hands with Suliman, citing his belief that the latter was complicit in whi
Fact cards
Key entities: Jibril Rajoub, Basim Suliman, Gianni Infantino, Susan Shalabi, Palestine FA, Israel FA, FIFA, Reuters.
2024-06-14: The 76th FIFA Congress convenes in Vancouver, Canada. 2024-06-14: Jibril Rajoub delivers a speech calling for an end to Israeli clubs operating in West Bank settlements. 2024-06-14: During the Congress, Rajoub refuses to stand near or shake hands with Israel FA Vice-P
Timeline
The 76th FIFA Congress convenes in Vancouver, Canada.
Jibril Rajoub delivers a speech calling for an end to Israeli clubs operating in West Bank settlements.
During the Congress, Rajoub refuses to stand near or shake hands with Israel FA Vice-President Basim Suliman.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino attempts to bring the two leaders together on stage; Rajoub declines.
Susan Shalabi criticises Infantino's intervention as negating the significance of Rajoub's speech.
The Palestinian Football Association appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding FIFA's decision not to sanction Israeli clubs in settlements.