Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub refused to stand alongside Israel Football Association Vice-President Basim Sheikh Suliman during the 76th FIFA Congress in a heated moment. FIFA President Gianni Infantino attempted to bring the two leaders together, but Rajoub declined.

Palestinian FA Vice President Susan Shalabi told Reuters that Rajoub said: “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 stated: “We will work together, President Rajoub, Vice President Suliman. Let’s work together to give hope to the children. These are complex matters.”

After the congress, Shalabi criticized Infantino's attempt to force a handshake, saying it showed disregard for Rajoub's speech, in which he again called for Israeli clubs based in West Bank settlements to be barred from IFA leagues.

“To be put in a position where to have a handshake after everything that was said negates the whole purpose of the speech. He spent 15 minutes explaining how rules matter, and then this. It was absurd,” Shalabi said.

Last week, the Palestinian Football Association 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 has long argued that settlement-based clubs should not compete in IFA leagues.

FIFA said last month it would take no action against the IFA or Israeli clubs, citing the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under public international law.

Source: www.aljazeera.com