Palestinian FA Calls For Israel Ban After FIFA Finds ‘Multiple Breaches’

The Palestinian Football Association has urged world football to sanction Israel after a FIFA report found “multiple breaches” of anti-discrimination rules by the Israeli Football Association.

Speaking in Al-Bireh earlier today, March 24, PFA president Jibril Rajoub said efforts to push for Israel’s exclusion from international football bodies would continue.

“We maintain our right and continue our efforts to ensure that the Israeli Football Association is expelled from all international institutions,” he said.

FIFA last week fined the Israeli FA 150,000 Swiss francs after its disciplinary committee identified breaches. Rajoub described the sanction as “a significant decision” but said it “falls short of the minimum required.”

He pointed to what he called the IFA’s “racist nature”, alleged misconduct by Israeli sports officials, and the inclusion of clubs from West Bank settlements in Israel’s domestic structure as grounds for tougher action.

A FIFA disciplinary report found the Israeli FA “failed to take meaningful action against Beitar Jerusalem” over “persistent and well-documented racist behaviour.”

Rajoub said Beitar Jerusalem was “an extreme example of racism, fascism, and discrimination”, adding that such attitudes were not isolated within Israeli football.

On claims of criminal conduct, he linked them to the war in Gaza, citing the deaths of athletes and damage to sporting facilities. According to Rajoub, 1,007 athletes and coaches have been killed and 265 sports facilities damaged since October 2023.

He added: “Some figures within Israeli sports either participated in or openly supported what has been happening.”

Independent verification of the figures has been limited due to restricted access to Gaza.

At least five clubs based in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are affiliated with the Israeli FA. However, FIFA said after a separate investigation that it would take no action over their participation in Israeli leagues.

The United Nations has repeatedly described Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.