FIFA President Gianni Infantino shakes hands with Basim Sheikh Suliman (left), vice president of the Israel Football Federation, as Jibril Rajoub (right), president of the Palestinian Football Federation, leaves the stage during the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, April 30, 2026. (Reuters/Jennifer Gauthier)
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Palestinian Football Federation president Jibril Rajoub was seen refusing to shake hands or even stand alongside Israeli Football Federation vice president Basim Sheikh Suliman during a tense exchange at the FIFA Congress on Thursday.
Both officials were invited on stage by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but the Palestinian representative resisted efforts to bring him closer to his Israeli counterpart.
Infantino briefly placed a hand on Rajoub’s arm and motioned for him to come forward, but Rajoub did not obey.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at the Semafor World Economy 2026 conference in Washington, DC, April 15, 2026. (Kent Nishimura/AFP)
The Palestinian Federation, led by Rajoub, has long lobbied for Israel to be suspended from international football competitions.
Rajoub defended his decision, saying he remained committed to formal processes but believed stronger action was needed.
“I respect and always follow the legal procedure, but I think it is time to understand that Israel must be sanctioned. The double standards must end,” Rajoub said, according to the Times of Israel.
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A fan displays a Palestinian flag during the Nations League group stage match between France and Israel, November 14, 2024. (Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters)
“I think Gianni has the right to try to bridge divides and bring people together, but I think he may not understand or know the deep suffering of the Palestinian people.”
He added that while Infantino’s intentions may have been to foster unity, he may not fully grasp the depth of Palestinian suffering.
After the exchange, Infantino addressed the room, calling for cooperation.
“We will work together, President Rajoub, Vice President Suliman. Let’s work together to give hope to children. These are complex issues,” Infantino said.
Speaking just before the incident, Suliman highlighted the unifying role of sport.
“In football there is no place for politics,” Suliman said. “Everyone has the right to play and compete. We teach children values such as respect, equality and love for others, and we hope that the next time we meet the situation will be better. We are reaching out to the Palestinian Federation in the spirit of these shared values.”
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Players from Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur line up before the UEFA Super Cup soccer match in Udine, Italy, August 13, 2025. (Denes Erdos/AP)
UEFA is apparently heading towards a vote to suspend Israel about the war in Gaza in September, but the motion was paused. FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that no action would be taken against the team on October 3, after a historic peace proposal from the president. Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
However, even after the peace proposal, Israeli sports teams faced opposition and exclusion.
