June 2018

Reuters report from Gaza. A soccer team made up of Palestinians who lost limbs to Israeli fire in the Gaza Strip is giving its players new purpose.  Members of the amputee team, which is made up of players most of who lost their legs in the conflict with Israel, exercise on a soccer pitch in …

Hilal Al Quds celebrate their 6-4 victory over Shabab Kahn Younis the second leg of the final played on 23 June 2018.  This was the fourth such two leg final since FIFA put pressure on Israel to allow the teams to travel between the West Bank and Gaza.    In the first leg on 19 June in Gaza Khan Younis …

The following statement is issued today by Red Card Israeli Racism following the conclusion of the 68th FIFA Congress: Red Card Israeli Racism commends the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) for its laudable effort to boost FIFA’s commitment to human rights at today’s FIFA Congress. The PFA proposed amending FIFA’s Statutes so as to make football …

The following letter has been sent by RCIR today to the President of all FIFA member associations. 68th FIFA Congress on 12 – 13 June 2018 Agenda Item 12.1 We call on you to support the proposal by the Palestinian Football Association to strengthen Article 3 of the FIFA Statutes. The proposed change includes sanctioning, by …

Haaretz has published the article below highlighting the naivety of Miri Regev’s actions: Who Needs BDS: Israel Scores Spectacular Own Goal in Argentina Soccer Fiasco The Argentines didn’t want to play an exhibition match in Israel in the first place, but would have come to Haifa. Then Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev moved in. Argentine …

Lionel Messi commented on Twitter on 5 June 2018, as  reported by TyC Sports: “As a UNICEF ambassador I cannot play against people (Israel) who kill innocent Palestinian children.We had to cancel the game because we are humans before footballers.” Striker Gonzalo “Pipa” Higuaín also said on Twitter: “Not going was the right thing to …

Palestinians Thank Argentina and Lionel Messi for Canceling “Friendly” with Israel June 6, 2018 — On Tuesday, June 5, the Argentina National Football team canceled the “friendly” match with Israel planned for Saturday, following months of BDS campaigning that kicked off in Argentina. Football fans and Palestinian human rights supporters had urged the Argentinian team …

At last some realism in the Israeli camp.  MK Itzik Shmuli (Zionist Union) said “Instead of soccer, Miri Regev wanted politics and she got politics…..[the cancellation] gives immense momentum to the BDS campaign”. Reflecting the views of Palestinian citizens of Israel, Joint List chairman Ayman Odeh said “Netanyahu’s government may be gaining Trump, but it’s losing the world. …