Israel Protests Japan's Official Welcome for Palestinian Football Chief
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Israel's embassy in Japan protested an official reception for Palestinian Football Association Chairman Jibril Rajoub, citing his past justifications of violence and antisemitic remarks. Rajoub met with Japan's Deputy Foreign Minister, discussing regional issues and sports cooperation. Israel's embassy argued the reception could legitimize Rajoub's controversial statements, referencing his comments on the October 7th attacks and his history of security offenses. Rajoub has a long record of seeking Israel's suspension from FIFA.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's embassy protested Japan's official reception for Palestinian Football Chairman Jibril Rajoub.
- Israel cited Rajoub's past justifications of violence and antisemitic remarks as reasons for the protest.
- Rajoub met with Japan's Deputy Foreign Minister Yasutaka Nakasone to discuss regional issues.
- Israel's embassy stated the reception could legitimize Rajoub's controversial statements.
- Rajoub has a history of seeking Israel's suspension from FIFA.
- Rajoub was previously banned by FIFA for inciting hatred.
Israel's embassy in Japan has lodged a strong protest following an official reception held for Jibril Rajoub, chairman of the Palestinian Football Association and the Palestinian Olympic Committee. Rajoub, who also serves as Fatah's Central Committee secretary-general, met with Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Yasutaka Nakasone at the Foreign Ministry on Monday. Nakasone reportedly praised Rajoub's long-standing role in sports and politics, and the meeting discussed the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, Japan-Palestinian relations, and sports cooperation. Nakasone expressed support for a two-state solution and continued Japanese aid to the Palestinians, while Rajoub delivered a letter from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to the Japanese Prime Minister.
Israel's embassy in Tokyo condemned the reception, accusing Rajoub of repeatedly justifying extreme violence, including murder, and making antisemitic remarks. The embassy cited an October 2023 statement where Rajoub called the October 7th Hamas attack a "response to crimes committed against the Palestinian people since 1948." The embassy argued that the official welcome could legitimize his statements and create an impression of tolerance, contrary to shared Israeli-Japanese values.
Rajoub has a history of security-related incidents, including a 1970 arrest for throwing a grenade at an Israeli military bus, for which he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, later released in a 1985 prisoner exchange. He was also arrested multiple times for his activities and deported to Lebanon in 1988.
In the football world, Rajoub is known for his persistent efforts to have Israel suspended from FIFA and its teams banned from international competitions, alleging violations of FIFA statutes and Palestinian rights. He previously led a bid to suspend Israel in 2024, but FIFA deferred the decision. Rajoub himself was previously sanctioned by FIFA in 2018, receiving a one-year ban and a fine for inciting fans to burn Lionel Messi's shirts and photos ahead of a canceled friendly match between Israel and Argentina.
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