Palestinian FA Chief Refuses Handshake With Israeli Official at FIFA Congress

Overview

• FIFA president Gianni Infantino tried to stage a handshake between Palestinian FA chief Jibril Rajoub and Israeli vice president Basim Sheikh Suliman during Thursday's 76th Congress in Vancouver, but Rajoub refused and left the stage.
• Rajoub later told reporters he could not shake hands with someone he said was brought to cover up “fascism and genocide,” and he said his federation is suffering.
• After FIFA declined to sanction Israel over clubs based in West Bank settlements, the Palestinian FA filed a case with the Court of Arbitration for Sport that is still pending.
• Infantino urged both sides to “work together to give hope to children,” the hall fell quiet during the standoff, and he then hugged Sheikh on stage.
• The dispute follows a 2024 UN finding that at least eight Israeli clubs play in West Bank settlements, which prompted calls for FIFA to act.