Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar called on FIFA to dismiss Palestinian Football Association Chair Jibril Rajoub, citing his support for the October 7 massacre and incitement to terrorism.
Zohar issued an official letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, accusing Rajoub of praising Hamas' massacre on October 7 and publicly encouraging acts of terror and violence.
Rajoub has long opposed Israeli soccer. Six months ago, he attempted to bring a motion to the FIFA Congress to expel Israel from international competitions, though the effort failed.
In his letter, Zohar urged FIFA to preserve sports as a space for peace, cooperation and respect. “Rajoub’s statements are an insult to the values international sports aim to uphold. There's no room in it for individuals who promote terror or violence within sporting institutions,” Zohar wrote.
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“Rajoub’s continued presence in senior sports roles undermines public trust and sends a dangerous signal that sports platforms can be exploited for political purposes and the promotion of hatred and violence,” the letter added.