Palestine FA President refuses handshake with Israel federation official at FIFA Congress
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.
At the 76th FIFA Congress convened in Canada, a tense confrontation unfolded on the main stage involving the leadership of the Palestine Football Association and the Israel Football Association. President Jibril Rajoub of the Palestinian FA declined to stand alongside or shake hands with Basim Suliman, the Vice-President of the Israel FA, despite direct intervention from FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Infantino, seeking to foster cooperation between the two bodies, placed his hand on Rajoub's arm and physically guided him toward Suliman to facilitate a handshake. Rajoub refused the gesture, stating he could not shake the hand of an individual he believed was complicit in whitewashing Israeli fascism and genocide. The refusal occurred immediately after Rajoub delivered a speech addressing the operational status of Israeli clubs within the West Bank.
Palestinian FA Vice President Susan Shalabi, speaking to Reuters following the incident, characterised Infantino's intervention as showing little consideration for the preceding address. She argued that forcing a handshake after a fifteen-minute explanation regarding the legal precedents of West Bank settlements negated the entire purpose of the speech. Shalabi described the situation as absurd, noting that the attempt to reconcile the two leaders undermined the plea for member associations to protect their rights against what she termed impudence.
The confrontation highlights ongoing friction regarding the legal status of the West Bank under public international law. FIFA previously stated it would take no action against the Israel FA or clubs based in settlements, citing the unresolved nature of the territory. This decision prompted the Palestinian Football Association to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport last week, challenging the lack of sanctions against clubs operating in areas Palestinians seek to include in a future state.
Rajoub's refusal underscores the deep political divisions that persist within the global football governance structure. While Infantino reiterated on stage that the organisation would work together to give hope to children, acknowledging the complexity of the matters at hand, the physical distance maintained by Rajoub suggests that institutional policy disputes remain unresolved. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by international sporting bodies in managing geopolitical conflicts within their jurisdiction.
