The Palestinian Football Association intends to punish soccer players who played on a joint “peace team” with Israelis. Last week’s game against Barcelona was greeted internationally as a sign that Israelis and Palestinians could cooperate for peace. “The Palestinian F.A. will form a committee to investigate the players who participated in the match” and “everyone involved will be punished,” Reuters quoted Jamal Zaqout, a senior association official, as saying. “We act in accordance with the attitude of our people, who are against normalization” of relations with Israel “before the end of the occupation.” The Peres Center for Peace, which sponsored the peace team, called the Palestinian reaction “annoying.” The squad lost to Barcelona, 2-1.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
