Gianni Infantino tried to get Israel and Palestine to shake hands: it went wrong

Fifa President Gianni Infantino (center) tried to get Palestinian Football Federation President Jibril Rajoub (right) and Israel Football Federation Vice President Basim Sheikh (left) to slap hands. Picture: Amy Elle/Sport Press Photo via ZUMA Press

International the president of the football association Fifa Gianni Infantinon an attempt to get Israeli and Palestinian representatives to join hands failed spectacularly at the organization’s congress in Vancouver.

Infantino invited the president of the Palestinian Football Association to the stage Jibril Rajoubin and the vice president of the Israel Football Association Basim Sheikh Sulimanin. Infantino was clearly aiming for a showy peace gesture, but Rajoub did not warm to the idea.

Rajoub came on stage, but instead of shaking hands, he engaged in a heated discussion with Infantino in front of the entire congress.

Rajoub spoke for a couple of minutes until Infantino climbed to the rostrum and made a brief plea for cooperation “for hope and children.”

Infantino’s speech did not make Rajoub change his position, instead he turned to the audience and said loudly:

“We suffer!”

Rajoub then kissed Infantino on the cheek and left the scene. Suliman watched the events from the side, looking silent.

Rajoub justified his actions moments later in front of the international press.

“Can I shake hands with a person who represents a fascist and racist government and defends its policies? I don’t think I should shake hands with him,” Rajoub said.

Norwegian president of the football association Lise Klaveness followed the events in the congress hall. He described for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation NRK:lle the atmosphere to be “pressing”.

Klaveness said he understood Rajoub’s reaction and assessed that Infantino had taken a big risk in trying to unite Israel and Palestine in front of the eyes of the whole world.

“I think the expectation was that the Israeli federation would say something in its speech that would have moved things in a good direction. When that didn’t happen, the message was completely lacking in resonance,” Klaveness said.