Palestinian sports officials have urged the international community to impose sanctions on Israel, accusing it of enforcing systemic restrictions on Palestinian athletes. Their call came during a press briefing in Geneva, organized by the Association of Correspondents Accredited to the UN (ACANU).
Jibril Rajoub, president of the Palestinian Football Association, criticized Israel’s alleged policies and urged global sports bodies to take action.
He referenced the Olympic Charter’s principles of ethics, fair play, and social responsibility, stressing that international sports organizations should enforce accountability, as they had in past cases of apartheid.
Rajoub also condemned what he saw as inconsistent responses to geopolitical conflicts, questioning why Russian athletes face sanctions while Israel remains unaffected in global competitions.
He called for a ban on Israeli teams and an end to corporate sponsorships supporting what he described as an apartheid system.
Palestinian swimmer Valerie Tarazi highlighted the destruction of sports infrastructure in Gaza, stating that over 260 sports facilities had been damaged, with nearly 200 completely destroyed.
She claimed that more than 300 Palestinian athletes, referees, and coaches had been killed, urging the International Olympic Committee and FIFA to take decisive measures.
Tarazi emphasized that Palestinian athletes sought fairness and protection rather than special treatment, warning that without concrete action, any rebuilding efforts would remain vulnerable to future destruction.