SOCCER: Palestinian FA chief hits out at Israeli counterpart at FIFA Congress

Palestinian FA President Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands with Israel FA Vice-President Basim Sheikh Suliman during a heated moment at the FIFA Congress on Thursday. The incident highlighted ongoing political tensions as the two sides were called together by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

REUTERS

May 1, 2026

FIFA President Gianni Infantino meets Jibril Rajoub, President of the Palestine Football Association during the 76th FIFA Congress at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, Canada, April 30, 2026.

Jennifer Gauthier / Reuters

VANCOUVER — Palestinian Soccer Federation President Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands with Israel Football Association Vice President Basim Sheikh Suliman during a tense moment at the FIFA Congress on Thursday.

Both officials were called to the stage by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but Rajoub declined to shake hands with Suliman, who is Arab-Israeli.

When asked what Rajoub said as he refused the handshake, Palestinian FA Vice President Susan Shalabi, who was present in the room, told Reuters: “I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide! We are suffering.”

Israel has denied accusations of committing genocide in Gaza.

-Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters