Calls are mounting on FIFA to require Israel’s national league to exclude teams from West Bank settlements or face suspension from the governing body of world football (soccer).
But there are warning signs FIFA may be succumbing to intense pressure to once again give Israel a pass to continue violating Palestinian rights with impunity.
On April 19, more than 100 sports associations, trade unions, human rights organisations and faith groups, from 28 countries, joined world footballers, scholars, cultural figures and politicians in urging FIFA to take decisive action when its governing council meets in Bahrain on May 10-11.
Their letter criticises FIFA’s failure to apply to Israel its rule prohibiting member states from playing games on another state’s territory without permission. The letter says FIFA is violating its pledge to put human rights before politics.
All of Israel’s settlements in the occupied West Bank are illegal under international law.
Many governments and international bodies, including the International Criminal Court, consider the West Bank and Gaza Strip to be part of the territory of an occupied state of Palestine.
Read the full article by Ali Abunimah at Green Left Weekly.