Ramallah, Aug 11 (V7N)- Palestinian football is set to return to the field after nearly three years of disruption caused by the Gaza war. The Palestinian Football Association has announced that football and other sports activities will resume from September 4.
Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub made the announcement at a press conference in Ramallah on Monday (August 10).
"I am announcing the resumption of sports activities and the Football Association league from September 4," Rajoub said.
Following the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, almost all sporting competitions, including professional football, were suspended. The latest decision is aimed at gradually restoring sporting activities after the prolonged disruption.
The tournament marking the return of Palestinian football has been named the 'Thousand Martyrs Cup'. According to the Palestinian Football Association, the name commemorates 1,140 Palestinian athletes who were killed during the war.
More than 200 clubs are expected to participate. These include 146 clubs from the occupied West Bank, 44 from Gaza and 36 clubs representing Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. The tournament will begin simultaneously across the three regions.
'The war forced us to stop playing'
Rajoub said the war had created such difficult circumstances that Palestinians were forced to suspend competitions and other sporting activities.
Despite the prolonged crisis, he said Palestinians had not lost their national spirit or their belief in the power of sport.
"We have not lost our Palestinian national spirit. We have not lost the faith that sports will be a symbol of hope and life," Rajoub said.
However, he acknowledged that the prolonged war and suspension of sporting activities had pushed the Palestinian Football Association and clubs into a severe financial crisis.
Call for FIFA support
Rajoub called on FIFA and other international sports organizations to support Palestinian football. He urged them to ensure that Palestinian players, clubs and children can participate in sports "in freedom and dignity."
The Palestinian Football Association has previously criticized a commercial proposal associated with FIFA President Gianni Infantino that would have involved private investors in certain football competitions.
Rajoub questioned whether FIFA would apply its rules equally to all parties without political pressure.
Demand for action against Israeli clubs
The Palestinian Football Association has long called for international action against Israeli football clubs operating in settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The association has also demanded the suspension of Israel's FIFA membership, citing Israel's actions and statements in relation to the Gaza war.
Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank are considered illegal under international law.
"We are not asking for any special privileges; we are demanding legitimate rights guaranteed by international sports law and charters," Rajoub said.
The return of Palestinian football after years of war and disruption is being presented by the Palestinian Football Association not merely as the revival of a sporting competition, but as a symbol of hope, life and national spirit.
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