Palestinian FA’s Rajoub refuses handshake with Israel at FIFA Congress

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Palestinian Soccer Affiliation President Jibril Rajoub refused to shake fingers and even stand beside Israel Soccer Affiliation Vice President Basim Sheikh Suliman throughout a tense alternate on the FIFA Congress Thursday.

Each officers had been invited to the stage by FIFA President Gianni Infantino , however the Palestinian consultant resisted efforts to carry him nearer to his Israeli counterpart.

<img src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/05/1200/675/israel-palestine-soccer.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="FIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes hands with Basim Sheikh Suliman (left), vice president of the Israeli Football Association, as Jibril Rajoub (right), president of the Palestine Football Association, leaves the stage at the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada on April 30, 2026." width="1200" height="675"/> FIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes fingers with Basim Sheikh Suliman (left), vp of the Israeli Soccer Affiliation, as Jibril Rajoub (proper), president of the Palestine Soccer Affiliation, leaves the stage on the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, April 30, 2026. (Reuters/Jennifer Gauthier)

Infantino briefly positioned a hand on Rajoub’s arm and gestured for him to step ahead, however Rajoub didn't comply.

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<source media="(min-width: 768px) and (max-width: 1023px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/672/378/fifa-president-gianni-infantino-washington-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/1344/756/fifa-president-gianni-infantino-washington-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="378" width="672"><source media="(min-width: 1024px) and (max-width: 1279px)" srcset="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/931/523/fifa-president-gianni-infantino-washington-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1, https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2026/04/1862/1046/fifa-president-gianni-infantino-washington-fox-news-001.jpeg?ve=1&tl=1 2x" height="523" width="931"> FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks in the course of the 2026 Semafor World Financial system convention in Washington, D.C., on April 15, 2026. (Kent Nishimura/AFP)

The Palestinian FA, led by Rajoub, has lengthy pushed for Israel to be suspended from worldwide soccer competitors.

Rajoub defended his choice, saying he stays dedicated to formal processes however believes stronger motion is required.

"I nonetheless respect and observe the authorized process, however I believe it’s time to know that Israel should be sanctioned . The double-standard coverage ought to cease," Rajoub mentioned, in response to The Instances of Israel.

"I refused to shake fingers. Sport is sport. … For me, that ought to be revered, but when the opposite aspect is representing a felony like Bibi [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] and talking on behalf of Bibi as if Bibi is Mom Teresa, how can I shake fingers or have a photograph with such a person?

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A fan shows a Palestinian flag throughout a Nations League group stage match between France and Israel Nov. 14, 2024. (Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters)

"I believe Gianni has the suitable to attempt to bridge gaps and produce individuals collectively, however I believe perhaps he doesn't perceive or doesn't know the deep struggling of the Palestinian individuals."

After the alternate, Infantino addressed the room, urging cooperation.

"We are going to work collectively, President Rajoub, Vice President Suliman. Let’s work collectively to present hope to the youngsters. These are complicated issues," Infantino mentioned.

Talking simply earlier than the incident, Suliman emphasised the unifying function of the game.

"In soccer, there isn't any place for politics," Suliman mentioned. "Everybody has the suitable to play and compete. We're instructing youngsters values like respect, equality and love for others, and we hope that by the subsequent time we meet, the scenario will probably be higher. We prolong a hand to the Palestinian FA within the spirit of these shared values."

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Gamers from Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur line up earlier than the UEFA Tremendous Cup soccer match in Udine, Italy, on Aug. 13, 2025. (Denes Erdos/AP)

UEFA was reportedly shifting towards a vote to suspend Israel over the conflict in Gaza in September, however the movement was placed on pause.

Infantino introduced no motion could be taken in opposition to the crew on Oct. 3 after a historic peace proposal by President Donald Trump and Netanyahu.

Nonetheless, even after the peace proposal, Israeli sports activities groups have confronted opposition and exclusion.

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Jackson Thompson is a sports activities reporter for Fox Information Digital masking essential political and cultural points in sports activities, with an investigative lens. Jackson's reporting has been cited in federal authorities actions associated to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media retailers together with The New York Instances, The Los Angeles Instances, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Related Press and ESPN.com.