Gianni Infantino's attempt to broker a handshake between Palestinian and Israeli football officials at the FIFA Congress on Thursday backfired, sparking a heated confrontation. Jibril Rajoub, President of the Palestine Football Association (PFA), refused to stand alongside Israel FA Vice-President Basim Sheikh Suliman, despite Infantino's insistence.
Infantino's Intervention Fails
FIFA President Infantino called both men to the stage, but Rajoub declined to be brought closer to Suliman, an Arab-Israeli. Infantino placed his hand on Rajoub's arm and gestured for him to approach, but Rajoub stood firm. PFA Vice-President Susan Shalabi, who witnessed the scene, quoted Rajoub as saying: 'I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide. We are suffering.' Israel has denied committing genocide in Gaza.
Infantino then addressed the Congress, stating: 'We will work together, President Rajoub, Vice-President Suliman. Let's work together to give hope to the children. These are complex matters.'
Rajoub's Speech Undermined
Speaking to Reuters after the event, Shalabi expressed dismay that Infantino's handshake attempt undermined Rajoub's 15-minute speech, in which he reiterated calls for Israeli clubs to be barred from basing teams in West Bank settlements. 'To be put in a position where to have a handshake after everything that was said, this negates the whole purpose of the speech,' she said. 'It was absurd.'
Rajoub commented: 'From my side, I still respect and follow the legal procedure but I think it's time to understand that Israel should be sanctioned. The double standard policy should stop. I refused to shake hands. Sport is sport… for me that should be respected, but if the other side is representing a criminal like Bibi (Benjamin Netanyahu) and speaking on behalf of Bibi as if Bibi is Mother Teresa, how can I shake hands or have a photo with such a man?'
Ongoing Legal Dispute
The PFA recently appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against FIFA's decision not to sanction Israel over clubs based in West Bank settlements. The PFA argues that such clubs should not compete in Israeli leagues. FIFA stated last month that it would take no action due to the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under international law.
As Rajoub and Shalabi left the Vancouver Convention Centre, they were confronted by protesters demanding FIFA ban Iran from the World Cup, alleging the team represents the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). When asked if this meant Rajoub supported the IRGC, he replied: 'We're not supporting anyone, we just want the support of the international community.'
