Vancouver: A member of the Palestinian Football Association has described the refusal of its president, Jibril Rajoub, to shake hands with an Israeli counterpart at a FIFA meeting as a symbolic victory. Tayseer Nasrallah stated that Rajoub's actions at the FIFA Congress in Canada represent the sentiments of "every free Palestinian" and stands as a testament to the ongoing struggle against Israeli actions.
According to Anadolu Agency, Nasrallah emphasized that this gesture signifies support for Palestinians affected by the Israeli government's policies and actions. He accused the Israeli FA leadership of being complicit in what he described as a "war of genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza and continued violations in the West Bank.
Nasrallah asserted that Rajoub's refusal to engage in a handshake was devoid of political or protocol considerations and was a reflection of the collective stance of Palestinians advocating for their rights. He also highlighted the Palestinian FA's previous actions, including objections filed with FIFA concerning Israeli clubs in illegal settlements. He criticized FIFA's reluctance to take decisive action against these settlement clubs, which are situated on land internationally recognized as occupied Palestinian territory since 1967.
The Palestinian FA insists that FIFA must address these settlement clubs to uphold its principles and decisions. Rajoub's gesture at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver occurred after an invitation to the stage by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The refusal to shake hands with Israeli FA representative Bassem Sheikh Suleiman was later shared in a video by Rajoub on Facebook, reinforcing the message of prioritizing national dignity over protocol.
Rajoub announced to the congress that the Palestinian association plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over FIFA's inaction on violations related to Israeli clubs in illegal settlements. He noted that a formal appeal was filed on April 22, 2026, aiming to ensure equitable application of rules across all associations.
The ongoing issue of Israeli clubs operating in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, remains contentious. The international community, including the UN, recognizes these areas as occupied Palestinian territories and deems the settlements illegal under international law.
In March, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee found the Israel Football Association guilty of significant discrimination violations but opted for a fine and mandated an anti-discrimination banner display, rather than imposing harsher sanctions. The committee's actions and the decision to not pursue the Palestinian FA's request to exclude Israeli clubs from international competitions have been contentious, revealing a complex intersection of sports and geopolitical tensions.