Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub refused to participate in a photo opportunity with Israeli soccer official Basim Sheikh Suliman during a tense moment at the conclusion of FIFA's Congress on Thursday in Vancouver.
After both Rajoub and Suliman addressed the delegates, FIFA President Gianni Infantino invited the two men to stand alongside him. However, Rajoub declined the gesture, repeatedly refusing Infantino's attempts to encourage him to join the moment. At one point, Rajoub was heard saying, "We are suffering."
Appeal to Court of Arbitration for Sport
The Palestinian Football Association (PFA) recently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over FIFA's refusal to sanction Israel regarding football clubs based in the West Bank. The PFA maintains that clubs operating in West Bank settlements should not be allowed to compete in leagues controlled by Israeli football authorities.
UN Experts' Statement
In 2024, United Nations experts stated that at least eight football clubs had been identified as playing in "Israeli colonial settlements" and called on FIFA to "fulfil its responsibility to respect human rights."
Rajoub's Call for Justice
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Rajoub urged FIFA to "apply the statutes with fairness, with logic." He highlighted the dire situation in Palestine, saying, "What's going on in Palestine is terrible, destroying all the Palestinian sport facilities in Gaza, the killings of hundreds of Palestinian athletes, employees... I think it's now the time to make justice."
Referring to the Israeli official, Rajoub added, "The guy who spoke on behalf of Israel, he did not even pay attention to the suffering, to what's going on. I refused to shake hands. How can I shake hands or have a photo with such a man?"
