Palestinian Football Association head demands concrete actions against Israel in sports

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - Palestinian sports officials on Wednesday called for international action against Israel, citing "apartheid policies and systemic restrictions" on Palestinian athletes.

Their remarks came during a press briefing organized by the Association of Correspondents Accredited to the UN (ACANU) in Geneva.

Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Association, urged the international sports community to take a firm stance, invoking the Olympic Charter’s commitment to ethics, social responsibility, and fair play.

Rajoub emphasized the need for concrete actions against Israel, drawing parallels to the international response against apartheid in sports.

"We urge the global community to honor its commitments to the Olympic Charter and the statutes of all sports organizations by taking a stand against genocide, apartheid, and systemic injustice," he said.

He called for sanctions against Israel until it complies with international laws, an end to corporate sponsorship of Israeli teams operating under what he termed an apartheid system, and the isolation of Israel in global sports competitions.

He also condemned what he described as a "double standard" in the international response to Russia and Israel, questioning why Russian athletes face sanctions while Israel continues to participate freely in global sports events.

"Where is the international community? Where is the justice? Where is the fairness?" he asked.

Palestinian national swimmer Valerie Tarazi also addressed the briefing, highlighting the destruction of Palestinian sports infrastructure over the past year.

"Over the past year, 265 sports facilities have been destroyed, 184 reduced to rubble. Stadiums, Olympic Committee headquarters, and playing fields in Gaza have been deliberately targeted and bombed," Tarazi said, adding that more than 300 Palestinian athletes, referees, and coaches had been killed, including her own friends, family, and teammates.

Tarazi called upon the International Olympic Committee and FIFA to take decisive measures beyond verbal condemnation, emphasizing that the destruction of Palestinian sports must have consequences.

"We do not ask for special treatment. We ask for fairness, equality, and the right for all athletes to train and compete," she said. "Without actionable protection, everything that is rebuilt remains at risk of being destroyed again."