Share

Palestinians file FIFA complaint over Israeli restrictions

Israeli authorities reportedly held the players for 12 hours before allowing only ten to continue on to the West Bank.

Advertisement

The Israeli military says security forces have arrested a “major weapons dealer” who is a member of the Palestinian security services in the West Bank.

US Secretary of State John Kerry met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris on Saturday to discuss efforts to move toward a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

On Sunday, the head of the Palestinian Football Association, Jibril Rajoub, filed a complaint about the incident to the global soccer governing body, FIFA.

Despite having only 11 players available due to Israeli restrictions, Ahly al-Khalil won that match.

In a almost identical incident last week, Israel prevented seven Palestinian players from Hebron-based Ahly al-Khalil from entering the Gaza Strip to play Shabab Khan Younis, citing the fact that they hold Israeli ID cards. This year’s demolitions have left 740 Palestinians homeless.

Israeli authorities did not make any comment. At least 29 Palestinians were kidnapped from various parts of the occupied West Bank.

The Palestinian health ministry confirmed in a statement that Rami Awartani, 31, was shot dead by Israeli forces near the Huwwara checkpoint, south of Nablus city.

Earlier this month, Israeli politicians vowed to expand settlements after a Palestinian teenager killed a 13-year-old Israeli in the settlement of Kiryat Arba in the southern West Bank.

Advertisement

“This behavior is embarrassing”, Palestinian FA boss Djibril Rajoub, whose federation is in a bitter struggle with its Israeli counterpart over the freedom of movement of Palestinian players and officials, was quoted as saying.

A Palestinian was shot after running at soldiers with a knife at a West Bank checkpoint the Israeli military reported