Palestinian Soccer Chief Jibril Rajoub Refuses Handshake With Israeli Vice President During Heated FIFA Congress Session

Jibril Rajoub snubbed Israeli FA VP Basim Sheikh Suliman at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, citing the ongoing conflict and accusations of fascism.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 30, 2026, 4:51 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Times of Israel

Public Snub Disrupts FIFA Governing Session

The FIFA Congress in Vancouver became the site of a high profile diplomatic confrontation during a scheduled appearance of regional football leaders. Jibril Rajoub, the president of the Palestinian Football Association, openly refused to shake hands with Basim Sheikh Suliman, the vice president of the Israel Football Association. The incident occurred in full view of the international football governing body’s assembly, highlighting the severe personal and political friction that continues to bleed into the world of international sports administration.

Presidential Attempt at Reconciliation Fails

The confrontation unfolded after FIFA President Gianni Infantino called both representatives to the stand in an attempt to project an image of unity among the competing federations. Despite the presence of the FIFA chief and the formal setting of the congress, Rajoub remained steadfast in his refusal to engage with the Israeli representative. This public rejection served as a stark contrast to Infantino’s repeated calls for the sport to act as a bridge between nations currently embroiled in military and political hostilities.

Identity Politics at the Center of the Dispute

The choice of Basim Sheikh Suliman, who is an Arab-Israeli, as the representative for the Israeli delegation appeared to be a point of particular contention for the Palestinian leadership. According to Palestinian FA Vice President Susan Shalabi, who witnessed the exchange, the refusal was a deliberate response to what she described as an attempt to utilize Suliman’s identity for political purposes. Shalabi told Reuters that the Palestinian delegation viewed the official's presence as a strategic move by Israel to distract from the current military situation and the suffering of the Palestinian people.