FIFA president’s attempt at reconciliation fails during Congress
An attempt by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to orchestrate a symbolic handshake between Israeli and Palestinian football officials ended in failure during a charged moment at the governing body’s Congress in Vancouver, reports BritPanorama.
Infantino had arranged for representatives from both federations to address delegates amid the continuing conflict, with each speaking for several minutes. Following remarks from Israel FA vice president Basim Sheikh Suliman, the FIFA chief asked him to stay on stage before calling Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub back to join them.
What followed was a visibly uncomfortable scene as Rajoub engaged in an animated exchange with Infantino whilst gesturing towards the Israeli official, ultimately refusing the proposed gesture of reconciliation. As delegates watched on, Rajoub continued to resist Infantino’s suggestion that the two men shake hands, prompting the FIFA president to address them directly.
“Let me thank the two representatives from Israel and Palestine, who have the same rights, the same duties and are members of FIFA,” Infantino declared, with both officials standing apart on either side of his platform.
When Infantino made a further attempt to bring about the handshake, Rajoub’s voice could be heard calling out to the assembled members: “Please, please, please, we are suffering.” The Palestinian official then embraced Infantino, kissing him on the cheek, before departing the stage without acknowledging Suliman. Suliman likewise embraced the FIFA president before Infantino returned to his seat.
After the incident, Infantino acknowledged the difficulty of the situation whilst expressing determination to persist. “These are very complicated matters, but we never give up on any challenge and we continue on this as well because all children from Palestine and Israel deserve the same hope in the future,” he stated.
The FIFA chief also referenced an upcoming under-15 tournament to which all 211 member nations would be invited, urging both federations to participate and pledging his full commitment to the initiative. Infantino additionally promised to visit both Israel and Palestine when circumstances permit.
During his address to Congress, Rajoub accused Israel of violating anti-discrimination rules by permitting clubs to operate within West Bank settlements. The Palestinian FA chief confirmed an appeal has been lodged with the Court of Arbitration for Sport following FIFA’s decision last month against suspending Israel over the matter, with the governing body citing the complex and unresolved legal status of the territory.
Suliman, who is Arab-Israeli, did not respond directly to these allegations but maintained that the Israel FA had backed the Palestinian federation’s existence “since day one” and offered to “extend a hand” to their counterparts. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Rajoub acknowledged that Infantino was “right to try to build bridges” but suggested the president did not comprehend the “deep suffering” experienced by Palestinians.
In the end, this episode not only highlighted the complexities of football diplomacy but also served as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions that permeate the sport, underscoring just how fragile the lines of dialogue remain amidst a backdrop of unresolved conflict.
