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  "path": "/sport/football/fifa-gianni-infantino-israel-palestine",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-01T08:13:13.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest controversy explained as Unai Emery rages after Europa League defeat",
    "Luke Littler reveals admission from Luke Humphries after Aberdeen Premier League win",
    "Bryson DeChambeau could make staggering career move as LIV Golf unravels",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nAn attempt by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to orchestrate a symbolic handshake between Israeli and Palestinian football officials ended in failure during a charged moment at the governing body's Congress in Vancouver.\n\nInfantino had arranged for representatives from both federations to address delegates amid the continuing conflict, with each speaking for several minutes.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nFollowing remarks from Israel FA vice president Basim Sheikh Suliman, the FIFA chief asked him to stay on stage before calling Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub back to join them.\n\nWhat followed was a visibly uncomfortable scene as Rajoub engaged in an animated exchange with Infantino whilst gesturing towards the Israeli official, ultimately refusing the proposed gesture of reconciliation.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\nAs delegates watched on, Rajoub continued to resist Infantino's suggestion that the two men shake hands, prompting the FIFA president to address them directly.\n\n\"Let me thank the two representatives from Israel and Palestine, who have the same rights, the same duties and are members of FIFA,\" Infantino declared, with both officials standing apart on either side of his platform.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nWhen Infantino made a further attempt to bring about the handshake, Rajoub's voice could be heard calling out to the assembled members: \"Please, please, please, we are suffering.\"\n\nThe Palestinian official then embraced Infantino, kissing him on the cheek, before departing the stage without acknowledging Suliman.\n\n### LATEST SPORTS NEWS:\n\n\n\n\n  * Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest controversy explained as Unai Emery rages after Europa League defeat\n  * Luke Littler reveals admission from Luke Humphries after Aberdeen Premier League win\n  * Bryson DeChambeau could make staggering career move as LIV Golf unravels\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSuliman likewise embraced the FIFA president before Infantino returned to his seat.\n\nAddressing the Congress afterwards, Infantino acknowledged the difficulty of the situation whilst expressing determination to persist.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"These are very complicated matters, but we never give up on any challenge and we continue on this as well because all children from Palestine and Israel deserve the same hope in the future,\" he stated.\n\nThe FIFA chief also referenced an upcoming under-15 tournament to which all 211 member nations would be invited, urging both federations to participate and pledging his full commitment to the initiative.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nInfantino additionally promised to visit both Israel and Palestine when circumstances permit.\n\nDuring his address to Congress, Rajoub had accused Israel of violating anti-discrimination rules by permitting clubs to operate within West Bank settlements.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Palestinian FA chief confirmed an appeal has been lodged with the Court of Arbitration for Sport following FIFA's decision last month against suspending Israel over the matter, with the governing body citing the complex and unresolved legal status of the territory.\n\nSuliman, who is Arab-Israeli, did not respond directly to these allegations but maintained that the Israel FA had backed the Palestinian federation's existence \"since day one\" and offered to \"extend a hand\" to their counterparts.\n\nSpeaking to reporters afterwards, Rajoub acknowledged that Infantino was \"right to try to build bridges\" but suggested the president did not comprehend the \"deep suffering\" experienced by Palestinians.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "FIFA president fails in remarkable attempt to get Israel and Palestine chiefs to shake hands"
}