Palestinian football chief refuses to pose with Israeli counterpart at Fifa event

The President of the Palestine Football Association Jibril Rajoub has denied posing alongside Vice-President of the Israeli Football Association Basim Sheikh Suliman.

"I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide. We are suffering," Rajoub told Reuters.

Fifa President Gianni Infantino called both to the stand, but Rajoub declined to be near Suliman.

“How can I shake hands or have a photo with such a man?”

Palestinian FA president Jibril Rajoub, who refused to shake hands with Israel’s football official during the Fifa Congress in Vancouver, said he can’t shake hands with someone who “is representing a criminal like Bibi” pic.twitter.com/Gv5tVSuTfi

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) May 1, 2026