Israel Hinders Football in Occupied Palestine: 2008-2014
By Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
Author: Mariabruna Jennings
Editors: Jonathan Kuttab, Susan Shalabi-Molano
June 10, 2014
Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
Table of Contents
Executive Summary.......................................................................................................................3
Infrastructure................................................................................................................................. 6
Zoning Ordeals.................................................................................................................. 6
Cases of Active Israeli Intervention.................................................................................. 7
Restrictions of Movement..............................................................................................................8
Pre-FIFA Mechanism.........................................................................................................8
Post-FIFA Mechanism...................................................................................................... 23
Hindering Shipments of Donated Sports Equipment.................................................................... 28
Political Intervention..................................................................................................................... 29
Human Rights Violations.............................................................................................................. 30
References..................................................................................................................................... 32
Appendix....................................................................................................................................... 33
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Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
Executive Summary: Israel Hinders Football in Occupied Palestine
By Nonviolence International and the Palestine Football Association: June 10, 2014
Palestine Football Association (PFA). a non-governmental entity, and many of those involved in it are the victims of
systemic acts of violence and other practices carried out by the Israeli Army to stifle the sport. The PFA suffers from
5 Israeli imposed practices which are enumerated in this report. Although FIFA took measures to end two of these
practices, (obstacles to movement and receipt of equipment) pursuant to FIFA Circular no. 1385 these measures
have been largely ineffective due to Israeli non-compliance. The PFA and Nonviolence International demand that
that FIFA take corrective action.
INFRASTRUCTURE:
The Israeli Occupation leaves the vast majority of Palestinian land under Israeli influence or control, where permits
for new stadia are almost never granted. Furthermore, active intervention by Israeli forces inhibits the operation of
existing football pitches and stadia.
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EXAMPLES OF ISRAELI INTERVENTION
Halting construction of artificial turf pitches in Burin, Beit Ummar, and Beit Foreeq in 2010
Halting of the building of a grass pitch in Beit Leqya under zoning pretenses.
Halting of construction of the Sa’as Sayel Stadium due to alleged ‘security reasons’
Halting of the Beit Ummar Stadium due to ‘security reasons’: proximity to Road #60
Halting of Majed Asaad Stadium in Al-Bireh due to alleged ‘security reasons’: cheering spectators
Bombing of Palestine Stadium in Gaza in 2012
Halting of a children’s match at the Al-Zaitun pitch in 2013 before shutting down operations indefinitely
FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT:
Israeli authorities not only inhibit the Palestine National Team from convening as a single entity but also impede
foreign football delegations’ entry into the West Bank, greatly diminishing the development of football within
Palestine.
IMPEDIMENTS TO GAZANS: ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE OF ISRAELI POLICY
The Palestinian National Team faces difficulties when uniting players from Gaza and the West Bank, as
Israeli authorities seldom issue these athletes and officials permits, stifling their professional development.
This policy adversely impacts Palestinian football teams, inhibiting them from practicing and competing
together. A right enjoyed by any other football team regardless of a player’s origin, it is denied to football
under the Occupation. As Illustrated below, Israel authorities continue inhibiting movement within
Palestine in stark contravention of FIFA Circular no, 1385.
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16 U14 footballers prohibited from entering the West Bank to train with the national team (February 2013)
5 PFA members delayed from entering Palestine for the AFC U19 Men’s Qualifiers (October 2013)
7 members of the PFA, POC, and media were prohibited from participating in Youth Week, including Mr.
Amassi,, a high-ranking official (November 2013)
3 National Team players prohibited from joining the team for the WAFF 8 th Men’s Championship
(December 2013)
PREVENTION THROUGH PROCEDURAL DELAYS
Israeli authorities are wont to prolong the permit obtaining process for foreign sporting delegations,
forcing applicants to wait oftentimes between 3 days to 3 months for their confirmation to enter Palestine.
Permits are sometimes granted after or in the midst of the scheduled affair, curtailing the Palestinian
teams ability to interact with other football teams, and diminishing opportunities for football development
in Palestine. Whilst official Israeli documents claim that most permits were approved, these statistics are
misleading because, although approved, permits are often delayed such that individuals can no longer
complete their tasks in Palestine regardless of their acceptance into the territory.
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2 players of the Myanmar Women’s team were delayed for hours because they both used a different
passport from the ones originally submitted to the PFA. Although their permits were later prepared, they
could not play the scheduled match because of the physical and mental exhaustion caused by the ordeal
(May 2013)
Iraqi children’s team was detained in their vehicle for hours attempting to cross Allenby Bridge. Initially,
the entire Iraqi delegation of 38 individuals was prohibited from crossing into Palestine; however, the
authorities allowed the team—save 5 people—entry but only a few days following the commencement of
the tournament (August 2013)
13 staff members, 6 members of the Jordanian team, 10 members of the UAE team were rejected one day
before the competition, prompting the PFA to contact international football institutions such as the FIFA
and UEFA. After pressure from the international football community, the Israeli authorities permitted most
of the individuals. Successive delays resulted in most visitors’ entering 3 days already into the competition.
(August 2013)
4 members of the Bahraini team and 2 members of the Omani team were delayed entry for the AFC U19
Men’s Qualifiers: 1 of the Omani team members was refused due to a supposedly invalid passport, and
though the 4 Bahraini permits were processed, they were delayed a few days due to the alleged absence of a
typist to complete the permits (October 2013)
Member of EDELGRASS subcontracting group delayed. Although Israeli documents claim the application
was approved, the permit was passed forth to the Palestinian Civil Ministry, causing the entire official
FIFA development mission to fail, as the permits of the other 4 inspectors expired. (November 2013)
HINDERING SHIPMENTS OF DONATED SPORTS EQUIPMENT:
For most other nations attempting to foster football, shipments of donated goods from FIFA and other football
institutions are received in a timely fashion and without additional charges. This is not the case for football under
Israeli Occupation, where shipments are either never cleared or intentionally delayed to such an extent that the
additionally accrued costs are outside of the PFA’s pecuniary means, making it nearly impossible to retrieve the
necessary football equipment.
EXAMPLES OF ISRAELI IMPEDIMENTS
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2008 shipment of Adidas goods destroyed
2010 shipment of referee equipment blocked at Tel Aviv airport and has not been cleared to this date
2010 UEFA shipment of youth equipment ‘mistakenly’ stored in a large bin, incurring storage costs of over
15,000 USD
POLITICAL INTERVENTION:
The Israeli Authorities have actively worked to dissuade foreign nations from sending their football delegations to
Palestine. This gambit utilised by the Israeli authorities curtails Palestinian football by political means.
CASES OF ISRAELI INTERVENTION
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2009 hosting of Brazilian Flamengo and Corinthians teams cancelled due to ‘financial problems’ which
Israelis indicated could only be solved if they agreed to a joint match with the Israelis
2011 friendly match with Zambia cancelled: Zambian Football Association “advised by the Government
not to proceed” after Israeli political pressure
2011 friendly match with Gambia cancelled due to supposed “logistical constraints”
2011 friendly match with Central African Republic cancelled: US interference on behalf of Israel aided in
this cancellation
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS:
Cases of human rights violations are rife within the context of Palestinian football—affecting men, women, and
children. Characterised by the systemic violence with which the IDF seek to intervene in Palestinians’ attempts to
foster football, the following cases illustrate the damages wrought by the Israeli forces.
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SAMPLE CASES OF ISRAELI VIOLATIONS
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Mahmoud Kamel Mohammad Sarsak: incarcerated without a trial while en route from his native Gaza to
the West Bank to meet his Markaz Balata football club. He was interrogated for 30 days and his family
denied the opportunity to visit him. He remained in jail for 3 years, and commenced a hunger strike for 85
days that threatened his life.
Omar Khaled Abu Rweis: the Olympic team goal keeper was abducted from his workplace at the Palestine
Red Crescent by Israeli military forces who charged him with involvement in a terrorist cell and
incarcerated him without further proof of such defaming charges
Saadi Ibrahim Namir: Al-Amaari professional club player, arrested and denied a trial
Basel Mahmud: coach of the Al-Isawiyah Club’s Women’s team was brutally attacked by the Israeli Army.
Johar Nasser Aldeen Halabiyeh and Adam Halabiyeh: 19 year-old Abu Dis club player Johar and the 17
year-old Adam were attacked the night of 31 January 2014. Johar suffered from three bullet shots to the leg
and foot and later brutally beaten by the IDF, whose dog nearly removed a chunk of his arm. The two were
tried in the Military Court but released. The young men’s burgeoning football careers were ruined that
night.
Saje Darwish: The 18 year-old footballer was killed by a sniper on his way to a match 10 March 2014
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INFRASTRUCTURE
Introduction
Palestinian territory was divided by the Oslo Accords into A, B, and C sectors, which
presents various challenges related to the construction of stadia, particularly when coupled with
the often unreasonable use of the ‘security threat’ pretext by the Israeli authorities. In addition,
the active intervention of Israeli forces inhibits the operation and use of existing football pitches
and stadia within the territories, at times affecting innocent civilians— who are already under
daily pressures from the Israeli authority.
Zoning Ordeals
Palestinian territorial division was inaugurated as a product of the Oslo Accords, leaving
the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) with plenary control over a mere 17.9% of the
Palestinian territories.[1] These lands are designated as Zone A. However, there remains two
additional classifications: Zone B, which features a theoretical sharing of authority between
Palestinian and Israeli administrations, and Zone C, which falls entirely under Israeli
administration.[2] The vast majority of land—the largest category comprising 59.2% is
classified as Zone C[3]—entrusted to Israeli authority. The second largest category, comprising
22.9% belonging to Zone B[4]—also at least partially under Israeli control, leaving only the
smallest category , 17.9% Zone A to be administered purely by the PNA. Israel imposes
restrictions on movement between the Zones, as well as controls building and construction in the
Zones B and C. From such a division of territory and power follow numerous restrictions
imposed by the Israeli authorities against the PFA’s attempts to foster the development of
football within Palestine.
As can be seen in the map of the land demarcations dating back to Oslo (see Appendix
I.I), Zone A comprises the majority of Palestinian cities. Being urban areas, the quantity of open
space which can be converted into a football stadium or even a practice pitch is limited. Zone B,
the next area of shared Palestinian authority, tends to surround these cities, comprising suburban
settings. What follows is that, even in this Zone, there exists little open land to dedicate to
football.[5] And to further complicate the situation, Israeli authorities have occasionally exerted
their influence over this land for alleged ‘security reasons’.[6] Lastly, with the territory
completely under Israeli jurisdiction, it is often forbidden for Palestinians to build at all. Since
the Israeli authorities obstruct any PFA attempts to construct by operating under a restrictive
regime set forth by the Israeli Civil Administration, all building permits are generally denied to
Palestinians.
An example of this may be seen in the 2010 attempts to build football pitches with
artificial turf in various locales (such as Burin, Beit Ummar, and Beit Foreeq).[7] Because these
locals were located in Zones B and C, the Israeli administration simply refused to issue building
permits. These projects were also terminated by the Israeli administration due to purported
‘security reasons’.[8] Another such instance transpired in Beit Leqya, a village near to Ramallah,
which the PFA refurbished with a new natural grass pitch. However, the transaction became
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problematic, since the village itself belongs to Zone A, but the free land dedicated to the extant
pitch is located in Zone C.[9] This allowed the Israeli authorities to impose their regulations
upon the PFA, demanding that they apply for a permit in order to evaluate any ‘security’
concerns the project may engender whilst nonetheless failing to provide a deadline for such
considerations.[10] The result was denial of permission to a totally benign project.
Further Israeli intervention occurred in April 2010 at the Sa’as Sayel Stadium in Nablus,
a stadium which had been approved by FIFA in 2009 and for which a FIFA delegation headed by
David Borja, the Head of the FIFA Development Office in Asia, was present at the groundbreaking ceremony.[11] However, during the first stage of construction, the site was visited by
an Israeli force supported by the Israeli Civil Administration Office (DCO).[12] The squad of
soldiers ordered that all work be ceased, threatening the arrest of the construction team and
confiscation of machinery should anyone resist.[13] Furthermore the leader of the force neither
had a warrant nor disclosed his full name.[14] According to the Israeli side, the issue was
attributable to a lack of coordination between the Palestinian Football Association (PFA) and
Israeli authorities before construction commenced, which is necessitated by the Stadium’s
location in Zone C.[15] Nonetheless, the PFA showed they had complied with Israeli protocol,
stating that there indeed had been several meetings between the Palestinian Ministry of Civil
Affairs and the Israeli DCO.[16] The Israeli authorities then stated that they are entitled to reject
projects for ‘security reasons’ within 45 days of receiving plans.[17]
A similar event transpired at the Beit Ummar Stadium in Hebron, which according to
Israeli authorities posed a security threat given the Stadium’s proximity to Road #60. The clearly
contrived explanation being that—in the case that the Stadium were at full capacity, with 10,000
spectators—these individuals could potentially choose to throw stones at passing Israeli
vehicles.[18] When met with such an explanation, the PFA sought to proffer the solution that
they would pave a separate road leading to the Stadium, so that no entrance need be made facing
Road #60 and that no cars may be parked there.[19] Additionally, the PFA offered to adopt the
burden of security by sending in PNA forces should such an event transpire.[20] Nonetheless, the
Israelis remained intransigent, maintaining that this proposed Stadium would be erected in Zone
C, forcing the PFA to relocate the game pitch to Burn, which is in Zone A.[21] Problems then
emerged with the Zone A locale, when on 15 January 2011 Israeli forces appeared at the
construction site and inhibited the preparatory works that were beginning there.[22]
This pattern continued with the Israeli authorities’ treatment of the Majed Asaad Stadium
in Al-Bireh, in which case they claimed that there were ‘security’ concerns, as the cheering
sounds made by spectators could be potentially irksome to the Jewish residents of the Psagot
settlement within close proximity to the Stadium.[23]
Cases of Active Israeli Intervention
Although the instances above include cases of active Israeli intervention, they occurred in
Zones under Israeli control and regulations. However, the following examples lack any similar
impetus giving rise to an Israeli presence in Palestinian football stadia or practice pitches. One
such example occurred on 23 August 2010 when the security and maintenance staff of the Faisal
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Al-Husseini Stadium in Al-Ram were accosted by an Israeli armed force of 15 soldiers and 3
officers after a match.[24] These Palestinians were later interrogated by the soldiers, who
returned at 00h30m to search the changing rooms and then once more at 03h00m to photograph
the Stadium.[25]
In Gaza, on 18 November 2012, an arguably more serious occurrence took place (see
Appendix I.II), as a squadron of Israeli Air Force F16 fighters wrought severe damage to the
Palestine Stadium after recurring bombardment,[26] an act which was evidentially simply a
repeat of a 2008 exercise on the same Stadium.[27]
Furthermore, on 4 March 2013, an Israeli joint force of special troops and intelligence
officers barged onto the Jabal Al-Zaitun pitch in the village of Al-Tur within close proximity to
Jerusalem in the midst of an official U14 match between the two children’s clubs of Jabal AlZaitun and Nadi al-Moathafin.[28] The Israeli forces disbanded the match and proceeded to
threaten the juvenile players, their parents, the staff, as well as all other spectators that should
they not immediately evacuate the vicinity, the soldiers would have to use force and make
arrests.[29] Following that event , the pitch was forcibly closed and a warning was issued
forbidding access to the pitch indefinitely.[30] According to one of the present international
referees, the Israeli soldiers mentioned that the children “should go play in Ramallah, not
here.”[31] This incident elicited a strong response from the President of the PFA, General Jibril
Rajoub, who recounted the event to Joseph Blatter, President of FIFA, and other officials, calling
upon the FIFA, IOC ( the International Olympic Committee) , and various other sporting
institutions to aid in the plight of Palestinian footballers.[32]
RESTRICTIONS ON MOVEMENT
Introduction
The 63rd FIFA congress issued FIFA President Joseph Blatter the challenge to eliminate
the obstacles to Palestinian football with the help of the FIFA, the deadline for such measures
being the following Congress in São Paolo, Brazil in June 2014.[33] The milieu giving rise to
such a task was the myriad of restrictions imposed upon those involved in the Palestinian
football enterprise, extending from players, coaches, and journalists to other officials within the
PFA and visiting delegations. The FIFA Circular no. 1385—distributed to the members of FIFA
on 14 October 2013—sought to “facilitate the movement of Players and Officials as well as
football equipment into, out of, and within Palestine”[34] by means of FIFA oversight and with
the implementation of a certain ‘mechanism’ whereby appointed liaison officers from both sides
would aid in interactions between the two football associations.[35] Unfortunately, as we will
demonstrate below, the pattern established before the employment of this ‘mechanism’ remained
strikingly similar to that prevailing following FIFA’s intervention.
Pre-Mechanism
The PFA issued an updated report in January 2011 outlining the Israeli policy of
constraints entitled ‘Israeli restrictions on Movement’.[36] From a study of said report emerges a
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reality in which professional league players, coaches, and referees were hindered when
attempting to travel within the Palestinian territories, severely debilitating the PFA’s ability to
operate within Palestine.[37]
Amongst the harshest limitations were, perhaps, those imposed on Gazan athletes. In the
‘Southern Governorate’ of Gaza, for instance, Palestinian footballers were prohibited from
benefiting professionally from the FIFA/AFC events they were entitled to attend.[38] Should a
Gazan athlete already happen to be present in the West Bank by means of a permit, Israeli forces
were known to apprehend the players and deport them back to Gaza.[39] The frequency of such
an act, however, is limited when contrasted against the fact that Israeli authorities were reluctant
to issue such travel permits that would allow Gazan sportsmen and women to leave the confines
of Gaza, in the first place, thereby denying them the opportunity to develop their skills both
within Palestine and abroad.[40] Moreover, once Palestinian footballers from either the West
Bank or Gaza were issued the permits allowing their departure, they were often encumbered by
the Israeli checkpoints inevitably encountered along the path from city to city within the West
Bank, an obstacle that oftentimes resulted in postponing matches due to the time lost attempting
to pass through.[41]
These restrictions to movement were not solely imposed upon the Palestinian athletes but
also adversely affected visiting delegations: consisting of not only men but also of women and
children, these delegations were occasionally forced by the Israeli authorities to endure the heat
for numerous hours whilst attempting to cross the Allenby Bridge from Jordan into the West
Bank,[42] an exhausting feat which could negatively affect their subsequent performance in any
match. An example of such a delay can be seen prior to the momentous August 2008 game—
Palestine’s first international match hosted on home territory—against Jordan when the
Jordanian delegation was delayed for many hours at the Allenby Bridge by Israeli forces, when
officials falsely claimed that the Jordanian team’s tardiness was caused by the Palestinian
side.[43] A similar event transpired in August 2013, when the Iraqi team was detained for over
six hours by the Israeli authorities whilst attempting to cross the Allenby Bridge.[44] The team
was comprised of children expecting to participate in the West Asian Grassroots Championship
to take place in Palestine from 12-23 August 2013 who had to endure the summer heat for hours
in their buses without food or water as Israeli soldiers surrounded the vehicle.[45]
Before even departing for Palestine, however, the process to attain an international permit
to enter the West Bank is itself convoluted. The applicant must submit through the PFA their
mobile phone number, their mother’s name, and a colored scan of their passport in addition to
the necessary formal invitation to visit Palestine and their accompanying confirmation of said
invitation,[46] before waiting anywhere between three days to a month in hopes of obtaining the
desired permit.[47] However, footballers and others must often wait approximately 25 days
before the Israeli authorities determine whether or not the candidate is suitable for entry into
Palestine,[48] though this process has been known to exceed three to five months for members of
the team’s coaching and training support divisions.[49] The varying durations of how long
permit applicants are made to wait is arguably indicative of an attempt to needlessly suppress
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football operations within Palestine on the part of the Israeli authorities. An example of this
occurred once more in the midst of the 13-23 August 2013 West Asian Grassroots competition in
which members of the UEFA delegation were delayed for many days in their attempt to traverse
the Allenby Bridge on 14 August 2013. This caused Susan Shalabi Molano, Liaison Officer of
the PFA to write to the IFA, who denied receiving word from their appropriate authorities but
promised to complete the paperwork by that Monday—by which point it would have been too
late to have been of use.[50]
Furthermore, to continue with this above instance, the PFA was told that this permitattaining process was exceedingly more difficult for those visitors coming from Arab countries,
such as the General Secretary of the Jordan Football Association and the General Secretary of
the West Asian Football Federation, since their nations lacked diplomatic relations with Israel
(even though Jordan does have diplomatic relations with Israel).[51] Difficulties of this kind may
be explained within the context of a then extant protocol whereby footballers of only certain
nationalities were granted entry into Palestine without petitioning in advance for a permit,
leading to a distinction between these and other ‘restricted’ nationalities.[52] The prime example
of this discriminatory policy may be the Israeli authorities’ denial of an entire delegation entry
into Palestine on the notion that Iraq is a ‘hostile’ nation to Israel,[53] a claim which itself is
evidence of a confounding of sports and politics on the Israeli side of the affair. Nonetheless, a
number of visitors were denied entry on the premise of ‘security reasons’ despite the fact that
they had neither previously entered Palestine nor been convicted of any crime within their
respective nations,[54] effectively bringing this ‘security’ pretext into question.
Another instance of Israeli temporizing may be seen in the case of the AFC U19 Men’s
Qualifiers that took place in Palestine from 11-16 October 2013,[55] a project which commenced
before the implementation of the ‘mechanism’ but which was carried out ‘in the spirit of
hope’,[56] as evidenced by the involvement of PFA and IFA respective liaison officers. The
email correspondences began 30 September 2013, including a list of the individuals still lacking
their permits despite the fact that the PFA applied for every individual. Nonetheless, the
lackadaisical progress made by the Israelis toward resolving this matter compelled the PFA to
petition FIFA and the UEFA to aid in accelerating the process.[57] Curiously, the vast majority
of those whose permits were delayed for a very long time were either from Arab countries (such
as Jordan, Oman, and the UAE) or Gazans.[58] As the story unfolded, the permits—barring a
few Bahraini ones—were supposedly received at the office of the Israeli DCO and would have
been sent back to the Palestinian Civil Affairs office except that there allegedly was no typist
available to complete the assignment.[59]
The following is a non-exhaustive list of Israeli attempts to stifle, prolong, or deny the
movement of players, coaches, referees, or officials either directly involved in or working in the
support of the Palestinian football endeavour from 2010 to 2013, directly before the
implementation of the ‘mechanism’. The first section of two dual-segmented list pertains directly
to Palestinians encumbered from travelling within the Palestinian territories. The ensuing section
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pertains to members of foreign delegations who were adversely affected by the policy
implemented by the Israeli occupational forces.
Table I: Palestinians Affected by Israeli Restrictions to Movement
Individual
Position and Purpose
Israeli Response/
Explanation
Date
Ammar Abusleisel[60]
(resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
800228629)
National Team player;
wished to participate
in a friendly match
between Palestine and
Mauritania on 11
August 2010.
Denied.
August 2010
Mali Kaware[61]
(resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
926739418)
National Team player;
wished to participate
in a friendly match
between Palestine and
Mauritania on 11
August 2010.
Denied.
August 2010
Suliman Obaid[62]
(resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
906681408)
National Team player;
wished to participate
in a friendly match
between Palestine and
Mauritania on 11
August 2010.
Denied.
August 2010
Husam Wadi[63]
(resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
81483314)
National Team player;
wished to participate
in a friendly match
between Palestine and
Mauritania on 11
August 2010.
Denied.
August 2010
Ismail Alamour[64]
(resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
801114638)
National Team player;
wished to participate
in a friendly match
between Palestine and
Mauritania on 11
August 2010.
Denied.
August 2010
Khaled Mahdi[65]
(resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
801491325)
National Team player;
wished to participate
in a friendly match
between Palestine and
Denied.
August 2010
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Mauritania on 11
August 2010.
Asem Hussein Attalah
Abu Assi[66]
(resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
906668678)
National Team player;
needed to meet up
with the rest of the
Olympic National
Team who were going
to Guanzo, China to
take part in the Asian
Olympic tournament
from 5-15 November
2010.
Denied.
November 2010,
though Susan
Shalabi Molano
pressed for
information as early
as 28 October 2010.
Ihab Mahmoud Hamad
Abujazar[67]
(resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID 1807269)
National Team player;
needed to meet up
with the rest of the
Olympic National
Team who were going
to Guanzo, China to
take part in the Asian
Olympic tournament
from 5-15 November
2010.
Denied.
November 2010,
though Susan
Shalabi Molano
pressed for
information earlier
Ahmad Nasr Khalid
Keshkesh[68]
(resident of Gaza who
was then residing in
Amman,Palestinian ID
800361099)
National Team player;
needed to meet up
with the rest of the
Olympic National
Team who were going
to Guanzo, China to
take part in the Asian
Olympic tournament
from 5-15 November
2010.
Denied.
November 2010,
though Susan
Shalabi Molano
pressed for
information earlier
Abdelhameed Farouq
Mohammad Abu
Habeeb[69]
(resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
802328971)
National Team player;
needed to meet up
with the rest of the
Olympic National
Team who were going
to Guanzo, China to
take part in the Asian
Olympic tournament
Upon arrival at the
Allenby border, the
Israeli forces
informed him he may
travel to Jordan on
the condition that he
never return to the
West Bank, a
November 2010,
though Susan
Shalabi Molano
pressed for
information earlier.
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from 5-15 November
2010.
condition he refused
and thus never
travelled with team.
Raafat Khaleel
Mahmoud Ayyad[70]
(holder of a Jerusalemite
ID and Jordanian
passport no. T536757)
National Team player;
Serves as a teacher in
a school belonging to
the Israeli Ministry of
Education’s
jurisdiction. Asked for
10 days leave in order
to join the National
Team, who were
going to Guanzo,
China to take part in
the Asian Olympic
tournament from 5-15
November 2010.
Informed by his
supervisor at the
school that, should he
take the leave he
asked for, he would
lose his employment.
Elected not to travel.
November 2010
General Jibril
Rajoub[71]
President of the PFA
Denied the VIP travel
permit, despite the
fact that his position
in the Palestinian
political echelons
entitles him to such.
December 2012
Fadi M. N. Jaber[72]
(Palestinian ID
80260447)
National Team goal
keeper
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
Gaza.
February 2013
Mahmoud H. M.
Fahjan[73]
(Palestinian ID
800687428)
National Team player
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
Gaza.
February 2013
Alaa A. I. Atiyeh[74]
(Palestinian ID
802760074)
National Team player
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
Gaza.
February 2013
Mohammad A. Z.
Dahman[75]
(Palestinian ID
802211953)
National Team player
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
Gaza.
February 2013
Mohammad M. H.
National Team player
Denied entry into the
February 2013
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Barakat[76]
(Palestinian ID
800270407)
West Bank from
Gaza.
Anas Y. R. Ahelou[77]
(Palestinian ID
801174954)
National Team player
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
Gaza.
February 2013
Eid A. M. Alakkawi[78]
(Palestinian ID
801956376)
National Team player
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
Gaza.
February 2013
Ismail M. H.
Alheresh[79]
(Palestinian ID
924929912)
Palestinian
physiotherapist
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
Gaza.
February 2013
Mohammad A. Mansi
Saleh[80]
(Palestinian ID
406010314)
Palestinian U14 team
player
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
Gaza.
February 2013
Ahmad N. A. Abu
Hasanein[81]
(Palestinian ID
405999095)
Palestinian U14 team
player
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
Gaza.
February 2013
Abdelrahman E. S.
Saleh[82]
(Palestinian ID
405921438)
Palestinian U14 team
player
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
Gaza.
February 2013
Omar M. A. Hamad[83]
(Palestinian ID
405899469)
Palestinian U14 team
player
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
Gaza.
February 2013
Hamed M. M.
Hamdan[84]
(Palestinian ID
406031351)
Palestinian U14 team
player
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
Gaza.
February 2013
Mo’taz J. A.
Alhorani[85]
Palestinian U14 team
player
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
February 2013
14
Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
(Palestinian ID
405828005)
Gaza.
Suhail Z. M. Yahia[86]
(Palestinian ID
40582742)
Palestinian U14 team
player
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
Gaza.
February 2013
Husam R. S. Wadi[87]
(Palestinian ID
801483314)
Palestinian U14 team
player
Denied entry into the
West Bank from
Gaza.
February 2013
Mohamed Amsee[88]
(Palestinian ID
901019216)
PFA Vice Secretariat; Permit denied.
needed to enter
Palestine for the 11-16
October 2013 AFC
U19 Men’s Qualifiers.
As of 30 September
2013
Abdel Salam Haneye[89] PFA member, needed
(Palestinian ID
to enter Palestine for
906638820)
the 11-16 October
2013 AFC U19 Men’s
Qualifiers.
Permit delayed till it
became useless.
As of 30 September
2013
Omar Alamawe[90]
(Palestinian ID
946240132)
PFA member, needed
to enter Palestine for
the 11-16 October
2013 AFC U19 Men’s
Qualifiers.
Permit delayed till it
became useless.
As of 30 September
2013
Yousef Sarsour[91]
(Palestinian ID
967496563)
PFA member, needed
to enter Palestine for
the 11-16 October
2013 AFC U19 Men’s
Qualifiers.
Permit delayed till it
became useless.
As of 30 September
2013
Mohamed Dalo[92]
(Palestinian ID
912175874)
PFA member, needed
to enter Palestine for
the 11-16 October
2013 AFC U19 Men’s
Qualifiers.
Permit delayed till it
became useless.
As of 30 September
2013
Table II: Foreign Delegations Affected by Israeli Restrictions to Movement
15
Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
Individual
Position and Purpose
Israeli Explanation
Date
David Borja[93]
FIFA Development
official
Insufficient time to
check individual’s
security background.
May 2011
Ahmed Ameri[94]
(Iraqi, Passport no.
A6242538)
Iraqi team player;
scheduled to play in
Palestine for the 2nd
leg of the 2nd round of
the 2012-2013 UAFA
Arab Clubs Cup, A
FIFA-sanctioned
event.
Prevented from
crossing the Allenby
Bridge. No further
explanation.
December 2012
Ayoub Bargam[95]
(Iraqi, Passport no.
A6010249)
Iraqi team manager;
the team was
scheduled to play in
Palestine for the 2nd
leg of the 2nd round of
the 2012-2013 UAFA
Arab Clubs Cup, A
FIFA-sanctioned
event.
Prevented from
crossing the Allenby
Bridge. No further
explanation.
December 2012
Haydar Al Darraji[96]
(Iraqi, Passport no.
G2278123)
Iraqi team player;
scheduled to play in
Palestine for the 2nd
leg of the 2nd round of
the 2012-2013 UAFA
Arab Clubs Cup, A
FIFA-sanctioned
event.
Prevented from
crossing the Allenby
Bridge. No further
explanation.
December 2012
Wisam Kadhim[97]
(Iraqi, Passport no.
G1192079)
Iraqi team player;
scheduled to play in
Palestine for the 2nd
leg of the 2nd round of
the 2012-2013 UAFA
Arab Clubs Cup, A
FIFA-sanctioned
event.
Prevented from
crossing the Allenby
Bridge. No further
explanation.
December 2012
Hussein AlMagsoosi[98]
Iraqi team player;
scheduled to play in
Prevented from
crossing the Allenby
December 2012
16
Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
(Iraqi, Passport no.
G1525493)
Palestine for the 2nd
leg of the 2nd round of
the 2012-2013 UAFA
Arab Clubs Cup, A
FIFA-sanctioned
event.
Bridge. No further
explanation.
Essam Siam[99]
(Egyptian, Passport no.
A08260315)
Match commissioner;
scheduled to serve in
Palestine for the 2nd
leg of the 2nd round of
the 2012-2013 UAFA
Arab Clubs Cup, A
FIFA-sanctioned
event.
Prevented from
crossing the Allenby
Bridge. No further
explanation.
December 2012
Mohammad AlRawabdeh[100]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. G849886)
Referee; scheduled to
officiate matches in
Palestine for the 2nd
leg of the 2nd round of
the 2012-2013 UAFA
Arab Clubs Cup, A
FIFA-sanctioned
event.
Prevented from
crossing the Allenby
Bridge. No further
explanation.
December 2012
Ali Amil-La[101]
(Iraqi, Passport no.
G1161264)
Iraqi Air Force team
player; scheduled to
play in Palestine
against the AlThariyeh club for the
2nd leg of the 2nd
round of the 20122013 UAFA Arab
Clubs Cup, A FIFAsanctioned event.
Prevented from
crossing the Allenby
Bridge. No further
explanation.
December 2012
Windsor John[102]
AFC Official, seeking
entry into Palestine to
travel to Ramallah on
official FIFA business
to conduct a course
Denied.
February 2013
Aung Myo Saw[103]
Secretary of the
Myanmar Woman’s
team
Denied entry into
Palestine, allegedly for
insufficient advance
May 2013
17
Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
notice.
Sin Mar Win[104]
Player for the
Myanmar Women’s
team
Denied entry due to the
fact that she used a
different passport from
the one originally
submitted to the PFA
on 13 March 2013.
However, her permit
was later prepared.
Nonetheless, as of 22
May 2013, she could
not play in the
scheduled match that
day because of the
physical and mental
exhaustion caused by
the ordeal.
May 2013
Nilar Myint[105]
Player for the
Myanmar Women’s
team
Denied entry due to the
fact that she used a
different passport from
the one originally
submitted to the PFA
on 13 March 2013.
However, her permit
was later prepared.
Nonetheless, as of 22
May 2013, she could
not play in the
scheduled match that
day because of the
physical and mental
exhaustion caused by
the ordeal.
May 2013
Munem Fakhouri[106]
Assistant General
Secretary and Head of
the International
Department of the
West Asian Football
Association
As of 21 May 2013, he
was neither granted nor
denied a permit;
nonetheless, no
explanation was
proffered by the Israeli
side. It was later
discovered 25 May
May 2013
18
Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
2013 that his permit
was rejected by the
Israelis
Khalil Hatem Khalil
Al-Salem[107]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. K854091)
Staff member; West
Asian 4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Fadi Eyadeh Issa
Zureiqat[108]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. K000188)
Staff member; West
Asian 4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Suleiman Suleiman
Nowar[109]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. K000320)
Staff member; West
Asian 4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Talal Mahmoud
Alswilmyeen[110]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. L645999)
Staff member; West
Asian 4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Uruba Alhussaini[111]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. M150687)
Staff member; West
Asian 4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Rami Ali Suleiman Al
Qawaqzeh[112]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. I413833)
Staff member; West
Asian 4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Sizar Omar Husni
Soubar[113]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. K774880)
Staff member; West
Asian 4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Samer Saadi Methqal
Jaber[114]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. K955794)
Staff member; West
Asian 4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Emad Hasan Nemar
Argowb[115]
Staff member; West
Asian 4th Grassroots
Rejected, email
received 13 August
August 2013
19
Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
(Jordanian, Passport
no. K166167)
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
2013—already one day
into the competition
Qader Subhi Othman
Ghanem[116]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. M346465)
Staff member; West
Asian 4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Munther Abdalla
Huseiny[117]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. K537541)
Staff member; West
Asian 4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Moayad
Alsharqatli[118]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. L951911)
Staff member; West
Asian 4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Nihad Khaireldin Saleh
Souqar[119]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. L343724)
Staff member; West
Asian 4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Wesam Ahmed
Ihzain[120]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. L596401)
Jordanian team
member; West Asian
4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Moayad Salim Ali
Mansour[121]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. M123957)
Jordanian team
member; West Asian
4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Thamer Najim Subih
Dahboor[122]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. K506903)
Jordanian team
member; West Asian
4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Adnan Mohammad
Alshuaibat[123]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. K497039)
Jordanian team
member; West Asian
4th Grassroots
Championship from
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
20
Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
13-23 August 2013
Mousa Eshtayan
Albaharat[124]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. M406835)
Jordanian team
member; West Asian
4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Mohammad Younis
Jarwan[125]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. K163826)
Jordanian team
member; West Asian
4th Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Badir Ahmed
Alhammadi[126]
(Emirate, Passport no.
LP9N06068)
UAE team member;
West Asian 4th
Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Salem Jawhar
Alkhateri[127]
(Emirate, Passport no.
JZP757986)
UAE team member;
West Asian 4th
Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Khaled Mohamed
Alhousani[128]
(Emirate, Passport no.
A2237542)
UAE team member;
West Asian 4th
Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Zakareya Ahmed
Alawadhi[129]
(Emirate, Passport no.
C88356744)
UAE team member;
West Asian 4th
Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Khaldoun Bashir
Alkloub[130]
(Emirate, Passport no.
K766173)
UAE team member;
West Asian 4th
Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Monir Aliazaerli[131]
UAE team member;
Rejected, email
August 2013
21
Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
(Syrian, Passport no.
005536722)
West Asian 4th
Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
Mohamed Abdelkarim
Mohamed[132]
(Sudanese, Passport no.
P00896332)
UAE team member;
West Asian 4th
Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Abdulla Ali Abdulla
Alzaabi[133]
(Emirate, Passsport no.
A2664677)
UAE team member;
West Asian 4th
Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Sabet Abaid Suroor
Sabet Alali[134]
(Emirate, Passport no.
A2754400)
UAE team member;
West Asian 4th
Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Obaid Mubarak Abaid
Alshansi[135]
(Emirate, Passport no.
A2470646)
UAE team member;
West Asian 4th
Grassroots
Championship from
13-23 August 2013
Rejected, email
received 13 August
2013—already one day
into the competition
August 2013
Abdulaziz Mohamed
Humood Alabd
Alshaikh[136]
(Bahraini, Passport no.
2148563)
Bahrain team player;
11-16 October 2013
AFC U19 Men’s
Qualifiers
Permit delayed until it
became useless.
September 2013
Ali Abdulla Ali
Abdulla Ahmed[137]
(Bahraini, Passport no.
2136287)
Bahrain team player;
11-16 October 2013
AFC U19 Men’s
Qualifiers
Permit delayed until it
became useless.
September 2013
Mohamed Ahmed
Ismaeel Bumeajib[138]
(Bahraini, Passport no.
2303442)
Bahrain team player;
11-16 October 2013
AFC U19 Men’s
Qualifiers
Permit delayed until it
became useless.
September 2013
22
Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
Hasan Sayed Ebrahim
Mohamed Husain[139]
(Bahraini, Passport no.
2135303)
Bahrain team player;
11-16 October 2013
AFC U19 Men’s
Qualifiers
Permit delayed until it
became useless.
September 2013
Mazin Khamis Yasir
Al-Abri[140]
(Omani, Passport no.
2227670)
Oman team player;
11-16 October 2013
AFC U19 Men’s
Qualifiers
Permit delayed until it
became useless.
September 2013
Said Ahmed Jamaan
Bait Baqaweer[141]
(Omani, Passport no.
2930030)
Oman team board
member; 11-16
October 2013 AFC
U19 Men’s Qualifiers
Permit delayed until it
became useless.
September 2013
Post-FIFA Mechanism
From the very inception, efforts to bring the aforementioned ‘mechanism’ to fruition as a
viable solution to the Palestinian football quandaries have been marred by a lack of compliance
from the Israeli side. Evidence for such a claim may be found in the 25 August 2013 letter
entitled ‘Re: Meeting between the Israel Football Association and the Palestine Football
Association’ sent to the General Secretary of FIFA in which the IFA claimed that “it must be
kept in mind that we live and operate under the security limitations of the State of Israel, over
which we have no control, and which are decided upon at the governmental political and defense
level,”.[142] The same letter proceeds to make political demands and declare that “the Palestine
Football Association must operate through the formal channels of the State of Israel, as other
bodies belonging to the Palestinian Authority do.”[143] This essentially subordinates the PFA to
the Israeli state, stripping the PFA of its identity as an entity purely concerned with football
rather than politics and the government—let alone the Israeli government. Despite the firm
stance established in the August letter, the appointed ILO ( Israeli Liaison Officer) Hershco who
is the liaison officer selected to represent the interests of the IFA, seemed to equivocate when he
wrote 22 October 2013 that, “On behalf of our FA, I wish you all the best and hope that all our
mutual efforts alongside my colleague Susan from the PFA, will assist in concentrating in
football solely,”[144].
In fact, it can be said that the very meetings establishing this ‘mechanism’ were convened
in the aftermath of Israeli obstinacy—in this instance concerning the Gazan Deputy Secretary
General of the PFA, Mohammad Amassi, who was denied exit from Gaza to Zurich, where the
FIFA headquarters was the location of the 3 September 2013 meeting.[145] Mr. Amassi was to
serve as the third delegate of the PFA[146] although he was impeded from doing so, as he was
met with intransigence from the Israeli authorities. In part stemming from convoluted Israeli
protocol (which forced Mr. Amassi to apply for his visa to visit Switzerland through the Swedish
Consulate in Jerusalem)[147] and also from incapacity (as the necessary fingerprinting device
23
Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
was somehow missing).[148] This is despite the fact that the PFA complied with the Israeli
permit application procedures, even including a letter from FIFA asking for a facilitated process
for the official as early as 15 August 2013.[149] Pressed with the close proximity of the meeting,
the PFA decided to appoint a different representative as their third delegate[150] for the first
meeting in a seminal series during which the procedures for the ‘mechanism’ were drafted and
for which a pivotal member of the PFA board could not be present due to Israeli impediments.
Nonetheless, following the 14 October 2013 distribution of FIFA Circular no. 1385, cases of
Palestinian immobility at the hands of the Israeli authorities persisted.
In fact Mr. Amassi was the subject of another Israeli attempt to stifle the PFA’s operation
not even a month following the dispatch of FIFA Circular no. 1385. The high-ranking PFA
official—along with five other Gazans—were denied permits to participate in the innocuous
PFA/POC co-sponsored Youth Week event from 11-14 November 2013.[151] Proper
documentation for these individuals was delivered to the Civil Administration on 3 November
2013; however, due to the fact that the individuals seeking permits were Palestinian citizens, the
21-35 day obligation outlined in the ‘mechanism’ was deemed no longer applicable.[152] As of
9 November 2013 (two days prior to the commencement of Youth Week), the Gazan delegation
had yet to obtain their permits, impelling Susan Shalabi Molano, the Palestinian liaison officer,
to contact her Israeli counterpart, Ronen Hershco, who responded the next day (10 November
2013, one day prior to the commencement of Youth Week) that he inquired with his contact and
now had to wait for a response,[153] despite the pressing nature of the event’s imminence and
the fact that the PFA supplied all necessary documentation well in advance. An explanation of
the affair from the Israeli authorities was not provided until 13 November 2013 (three days into
Youth Week) that, “In general what is permitted (upon approval) are players and coaches for any
official activity going from Gaza to the Judea and Samaria, as well as members of the Palestinian
Olympic Committee,”[154] a contrived excuse . The result was that Mr. Amassi—the Deputy
General Secretary of the PFA and Execute General Secretary of the POC ( Palestinian Olympic
Committee)[155]—was rejected along with other PFA board members and three sports
journalists,[156] all individuals who serve a function in the Palestinian football endeavour.
In fact, in light of this ordeal, Ms. Shalabi Molano communicated to James Johnson, the
designated FIFA official monitoring interactions between the IFA and PFA so long as the
‘mechanism’ is instated, that, “Before the mechanism, we used to submit all elements of sport,
including journalists. Now, we find out that the highest executive officials of football are
excluded?”[157] The case of Mr. Amassi’s rejection is particularly troubling, however, because
it may be interpreted as implying that the Israeli authorities fabricated some new policy—
referring to the one elaborated by Mr. Hershco in his 13 November email—in order to justify
their denial of the Gazan individuals, meaning they perhaps were not aware of the fact that Mr.
Amassi served as a key member of both institutions. Nonetheless, such would be speculation
based on the evidence; though, what is concrete is that fact that Israeli authorities working
through and alongside the ILO did not actively seek to facilitate the movement of Palestinians
involved in football, as the tenets of the ‘mechanism’ insist they do.
24
Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
Furthermore, such an action on behalf of the Israeli authorities was in stark contravention
of the FIFA Circular no. 1385, as evidence by the fact that the Youth Week occurrence elicited a
response from FIFA Deputy Secretary General Makus Kattner, who on 15 November 2013
issued a fax to the general secretaries of both the IFA and PFA in regard to the email
communication outlined above.[158] The fax served to clarify that “FIFA Circular 1385 is
applicable to players, coaches, referees and officials,”[159] meaning that—at the very least—Mr.
Amassi and his fellow PFA board members, ‘officials’ as they are, should have been admitted
into the West Bank. Nonetheless, Mr. Amassi was not granted his permit, despite the fact that
both the FIFA Circular no. 1385 and the Israeli excuse pertaining to POC members both
theoretically should have granted him entry. In the IFA’s January 2014 report evaluating the
interactions of the two football associations since the implementation of the ‘mechanism’,[160]
the story becomes slightly modified as Mr. Amassi’s rejection was explained by claiming that he
“[d]id not meet criterions,” being “a member of the football association,” and that “[a] list of
PA’s board member has not been provided.”[161] The persisting variation in explanation is
symptomatic of a greater sentiment of non-compliance on behalf of the Israeli authorities, once
more casting doubt over the efficacy of this ‘mechanism’.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of Israeli attempts to stifle, prolong, or deny the
movement of players, coaches, referees, or officials either directly involved in or working in
support of the Palestinian football endeavour following the implementation of the ‘mechanism’.
Table III: Individuals Affected by Israeli Restrictions to Movement Post-Mechanism
Individual
Position and Purpose
Israeli
Response/Explanation
Date
Walid Ali Mustafa
Ismail[162]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. K804105)
EDELGRASS
Delayed
subcontractor;
dispatched by FIFA to
Palestine to inspect
artificial turf pitches.
November 2013
Seena Omar Shaban
Hatuqay[163]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. M371347)
Media; POC
Activity/Youth Week
No reply
November 2013
Mohammad Ismail
Ahmad Amassi[164]
(Resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
901019216)
PFA/POC Official;
Participation in the
official POC Youth
Week
“Did not meet the
criteria as a member of
the football association.
Furthermore, a list of the
PFA’s board members is
required. Did not appear
for a security
November 2013
25
Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
reassessment
meeting.[165]
Ismail Ahmad Ismail
Matar[166]
(Resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
922745138)
PFA Official;
Participation in the
official POC Youth
Week
Did not meet the
criteria.[167]
November 2013
Fathi Yousef Ahmad
Abu el Ola[168]
(Resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
956185136)
PFA Official;
Participation in the
official POC Youth
Week
Did not meet the
criteria.[169]
November 2013
Ashraf Husni
Mohammad
Matar[170]
(Resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
901005207)
Media; Participation
in the official POC
Youth Week
Previously accepted into
the West Bank but
denied due to current
policy limitations
allowing only POC
members to depart from
Gaza.[171]
November 2013
Ibrahim Mohammad
Ahmad Abu
AlSheikh[172]
(Resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
917639866)
Media; Participation
in the official POC
Youth Week
Previously accepted into
the West Bank but
denied due to current
policy limitations
allowing only POC
members to depart from
Gaza.[173]
November 2013
Osama Mohammad
Hafez Felfel[174]
(Resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
912455250)
Media; Participation
in the official POC
Youth Week
Previously accepted into
the West Bank but
denied due to current
policy limitations
allowing only POC
members to depart from
Gaza.[175]
November 2013
Anas Yaser Rashad
Al-Helou[176]
(Resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
Player; Joining the
National team for the
WAFF 8th Men’s
Championship
Denied
December 2013
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801174954)
Maysarah Khalid
Khader AlBawwab[177]
(Resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
802418665)
Player; Joining the
National team for the
WAFF 8th Men’s
Championship
Denied
December 2013
Mohammad Omar
Jabr AlDiri[178]
(Resident of Gaza,
Palestinian ID
802176826)
Player; Joining the
National team for the
WAFF 8th Men’s
Championship
Denied
December 2013
Mohammad Mousa
Khalaf Abu
Loum[179]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. K231894[180])
Referee; AFC Cup:
Al-Dahryieh Vs. Alay
FC
Delayed to such an
February 2014
extent that he received
the permit 3 hours before
he was to serve as
referee for the match,
leaving insufficient time
to carry out his duty. The
PFA used a substitute
referee for the game.
Ziad Tawfiq Suleiman
Akoubeh[181]
(Jordanian, Passport
no. L375831)
AFC instructor;
conducting AFC
coaching course in
Ramallah
Permit delayed
March 2014
The table above demonstrates that many of the barriers to movement reported to have
existed before the implementation of this ‘mechanism’ persistently reappeared after the
‘mechanism’ had been instated: Palestinians are still impeded from travelling within their own
borders and abroad, severely limiting their capacity to benefit from football opportunities, and
other foreign officials continue to be either purposefully delayed or prohibited from entering the
West Bank in order to carry out their duties in support of football in Palestine. In a letter sent to
Markus Kattner, Deputy Secretary General of FIFA, from Rotem Kamer, CEO of the IFA, on 12
January 2014, Kamer writes that “although the matter is out of the scope of the IFA competence,
we will be happy to help.”[182] Further reason for concern may be that following the rejections
of November and Youth Week, the IFA sought out the press and stated that, “Chairman Avi
Luzon and the heads of the IDF are trying constantly to help the Palestinian Authority maintain a
life of sports as long as it does not put the State of Israel and its citizens in danger,”[183] once
more lending credence to this recurring embroiling of sports and politics, once more an
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equivocation before the evidence that suggests the contrary: that the IFA is not interested in
aiding the Palestinian football endeavour, choosing rather to use the same ‘security’ pretext used
by the Israeli authorities for curtailing football activities within Palestine. However, given the
discrepancy between the IFA’s purported desire to ameliorate football operations within
Palestine and the apparently narrow scope of their authority and the fact that the same pattern
established before the ‘mechanism’ endures presently, it seems that this ‘mechanism’ is not a
sustainable and effective measure and that, therefore, other avenues of remediation ought to be
sought out.
HINDERING SHIPMENTS OF DONATED SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Additional obstacles facing the PFA are characterised by barriers to receiving donated
equipment and tools necessary to facilitate football operating procedures. As was the case for the
entry of foreign players, sports equipment entering Palestine from abroad must be meticulously
recorded and processed by the Israeli occupation authorities, as outlined in the 2010 report
released by the PFA entitled ‘Israeli Impediments on Palestinian Shipments’.[184] The sports
shipments typically arrive in Tel Aviv at the Ben Gurion Airport or have to enter Palestine via
Jordan; however, as is the case for the foreign visitors, goods entering Palestine from abroad,
too, must be accompanied by ample documentation, including: a letter from the donor explaining
how the goods will be used; the donor’s name, phone number, and address; the receiver’s name,
phone number, and address; a letter from the Palestinian Customs to its Israeli counterpart
petitioning the latter to clear the shipment; a detailed list of all shipped items and their quantity,
brand, size, and so on; and, finally, the name, address, and phone number of the individual or
company completing the clearance.[185] Nonetheless, once this has been completed, there is
still, of course, the wait time for the documentation to pass through Israeli scrutiny, the duration
of which may last a month while the shipment continues to accrue storage costs.[186]
Within this same report, it is stated that “[i]n short, the PFA received none of the FIFA
Referee material since 2008,”[187] and this is not an exaggeration. For example, the 2008
shipment containing Adidas goods was delivered via the Tel Aviv airport, where the customs
officials temporised causing the PFA to incur a large bill and eventually lose the shipment which
was later destroyed by Israeli Customs in order to reclaim the space it occupied due to the
lackadaisical progress made by Israeli customs.[188] In 2010, the referee shipment via DHL
consisting of pins, coins, badges, identification cards and the like was blocked in Tel Aviv,[189]
causing another shipment to be sent via UPS but which was also inhibited from being cleared,
according to Israeli Customs, by a “lack of documentation”[190]—despite the fact that Adidas
sent a letter outlining all the demanded information.[191]
Additional difficulty was encountered when attempting to process the UEFA’s 2010
donation to the PFA of goods “for distribution to different local youth football teams and
schools, free of charge as a support for the youth development programme initiated by the
PFA”[192] and which was received by the Israeli Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
through Ashdod port on 15 May 2010.[193] However, upon receipt, the PFA was notified by the
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MSC that should they not retrieve their goods in the required window of time, they will incur
costs and taxes and furthermore that the MSC would no longer be liable for the cargo and any
damages it may receive.[194] As of 25 September 2010, though, Israeli Customs claimed that the
PFA must pay 15,174 USD due to the fact that the shipment was stored in a large container that
engulfed a fair amount of space, failing to take into account their own delays that helped create
such a staggering sum,[195] as the PFA had striven to obtain a custom exemption since 15 June
2010.[196] The UEFA then sent a letter stating that the costs are covered by the UEFA and that
the goods are of no commercial value,[197] “kindly request[ing] the Customs Authorities and
Governmental Bodies of Palestine to exempt the above-mentioned donation from any
taxes.”[198]
Although this is not an exhaustive recounting of the challenges faced by the PFA in
attempting to obtain their official donated goods, it can nonetheless be observed that Israeli
Occupation procedures greatly retard process and cause the PFA to incur additional and
unexpected costs: barriers making the football endeavor within Palestine needlessly more
difficult.
POLITICAL INTERVENTION
Israeli attempts to stifle Palestinian football extend beyond the confines of the
Palestinian border, as the Israeli government made efforts to dissuade foreign nations from
sending their football delegations to Palestine before these teams were even allotted the chance
to endure the strenuous permit obtaining procedure and other additional impediments to their
movement once within the West Bank. Another variation of the ‘barring movement’ theme, this
gambit utilised by the Israeli authorities can be considered a more subversive form of
intervention, as the Israeli Occupation forces are actively seeking to curtail Palestinian football
by political means. These measures oftentimes implicate higher political bodies extraneous of the
theoretically independent football associations of each nation.
One such example dates back to 2009, as the PFA made strides toward hosting a match in
Palestine for Brazil’s Flamengo and Corinthians teams.[199] The milieu was one of anticipation,
as Vera Cintia Alvarez of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs wished to foster more
interaction between Brazil and Palestine, perhaps even demonstrating to the world the possibility
of an independent Palestine.[200] The matches were orchestrated to take place at the Faisal AlHusseini stadium in Al-Ram in mid-September 2009[201]; however, these efforts culminated in
impossibility, as the Brazilian contact notified the PFA that there were presented certain
‘financial problems’ that jeopardized the feasibility of the match.[202] The real reason became
apparent when a proposition was put forth that should there be a joint match with the Israelis, the
issue would be immediately resolved—no more ‘financial problem’,[203] a curious development
indicative of some variety of political pressure being put on the Brazilian government.[204]
Palestinian plans to orchestrate friendly matches with several African nations, too, were
revoked following Israeli intervention on the political level in 2011.[205] Efforts to host the
football associations of Zambia, Central African Republic, and Gambia first commenced in
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September 2011, when it was decided that such games would take place in mid-November of
that same year.[206] Initially, every potentially visiting delegation supported the idea and began
setting dates and discussing logistical matters;[207] nonetheless, each delegation cancelled. The
Zambian Football Association contacted the PFA stating that their football association “has been
advised by the Government not to proceed,” proceeding to relay that “the Minister of Sport
himself called us advising us not to proceed.”[208] A similar event transpired in CAR, when the
CAR Minister of Sports contacted the PFA to state that the match would have to be cancelled in
light of the fact that the US embassy in Bangui “on behalf of Israel” contacted the CAR Minister
of Foreign Affairs asking him to discuss matters of the intended game against Palestine with the
President of the Republic, who had notified the Minister of Sports to cancel the match.[209]
Lastly, in Gambia the match was supposedly cancelled due to “logistical constraints and the
Muslim feast of Eid Al-Adha,”[210] yet when asked all but one member of the team stated there
was no reason they were unable to travel.[211]
In response to such insidious efforts made by the Israeli authorities aimed at suppressing
Palestinian football, President of FIFA Joseph Blatter wrote to General Rajoub that the
aforementioned struggle “shows once more the extremely difficult situation that PFA is facing
when it comes to football development in general, and to the organisation of football matches in
particular.”[212] He proceeded to convey that he is “saddened and worried that football is taken
hostage of the political situation.”[213]
HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
Cases of human rights violations are rife within the context of the Palestinian football
plight—affecting men, women, and children. For example, twelve-year-old Mamoun al-Dam
departed from his home 20 June 2012 to play football on family land in Gaza when his relatives
were alerted by the sound of a nearby explosion caused by Israeli warplanes firing in the
vicinity.[214] The following sound was his scream.[215] Caught in the crossfire, the child soon
died.[216] Characterized by the wanton violence with which the IDF seek to intervene in
Palestinians’ attempts to take part in the football endeavor, the following cases illustrate the
damage wrought by the Israeli security state, injuries which negatively impact not only attempts
to foster football under occupation but also the lives of innocent people.
For instance, on 22 July 2009 the footballer Mahmoud Kamel Mohammad Sarsak was
detained and later incarcerated by Israeli governmental officials without a trial while he was en
route from his native Gaza to the West Bank with the intention of meeting his new Markaz
Balata football club.[217] The young man was interrogated for thirty days, and his family was
denied the opportunity to visit him, not knowing the nature of his imprisonment as he remained
in jail for three years.[218] At some point during his imprisonment, Sarsak commenced a hunger
strike, refusing to eat for 85 days—an act of resistance which threatened his life, as the 25 yearold man lost upwards of 30 kilograms of weight.[219] Similar stories may be found in the cases
of Omar Khaled Abu Rweis, the 23 year-old goal keeper of the Olympic team who was abducted
from his workplace by Israeli military forces and incarcerated, as well as in that of Mohammad
Saadi Ibrahim Nimer, the 22 year-old Al-Amaari professional club member who was arrested by
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the IDF and was denied a trial.[220] This previous examples are sorrowfully indicative of the
absence of the rule of law within the occupied territories as Israeli forces capriciously detain
innocent people without justification, as was precisely the case when troops arrested sixteen
children playing football in a Tel school pitch.[221]
In addition to arresting innocent individuals, Israeli forces have also been known to
forcibly enter Palestinian stadia, such as the 31 January 2014 instance in which a professional
league match had to be cancelled due to the fact that Israeli authorities were shooting tear gas
within close proximity to the Faisal Al-Husseini Stadium (please refer to Appendix V.I),
adversely impacting the footballers’, spectators’, and referees’ ability to breathe.[222] This was
one year after the 3 January 2013 Israeli armed forces break-in into the same stadium, after
which they brutally attacked a member of the maintenance staff before forcibly taking him to an
undisclosed location.[223]
However, a more disconcerting variation of the above transgression took place later that
year to Coach Basel Mahmud of the Al-Isawiyah Club’s Women’s team on 24 November
2013,[224] which is of added concern since it occurred after the implementation of the
‘mechanism’. According to the ILO Herscho, “Mr. Basel did not have a valid permit to be in
Israel on the date that the incident may have taken place,”[225] an excuse which not only sought
to shift the blame to the physically assaulted victim (please refer to Appendix V.II) but which
also intimates at the fact that Mr. Herscho is doubtful of whether or not the violation even
occurred—as implied by his choice of phrasing: ‘may have taken place’. However, according to
a decision authorized by the head of the committee of appeals, Mrs Sarah Shauul-Weiss, “no
deportation action from Israel shall be taken against...Basel Mamud.”[226] Which indicates that
Coach Mamud was not in violation of any official ruling when he was assaulted by the IDF.
Arguably, amongst the most alarming violations of human rights is also one of the most
recent: the victims being the 19 year-old Abu Dis club player Johar Nasser Aldeen Halabiyeh
and his younger relative, the 17 year-old Adam, who were both attacked the night of 31 January
2014 at approximately 23h15m.[227] Johar suffered from three bullet shots—two to his lowerbody and one to his arm—before being brutally beaten by the IDF and assaulted by their dog,
who nearly removed a chunk of his arm.[228] Following this violent incident, the two young
men were arrested and quickly released due to the illicit nature of their apprehension but were
initially denied the right to be treated in a Palestinian hospital, being sent rather to Hadasa Ein
Karem Israeli hospital.[230] Although Johar and Adam were eventually transferred to a
Ramallah hospital, their battle was not yet over, as the critical Israeli doctor reports on the
patients were withheld from the Jordanian doctors for days while the Hadasa Ein Karem hospital
staff was on strike, which continued until 19 February.[231] Johar, in critical condition, was
victim not only to Israeli violence but also to that inefficiency which characterises their
interactions with the PFA. In light of the tragedy, the Palestinian liaison officer, Susan Shalabi
Molano wrote to her Israeli counterpart, “It may be worth mentioning that medical reports
indicate these boys will be lucky if they could jog when they recover… Football is out of the
question for them now. Does this needless suffering make sense to anyone, I ask?”[232]
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REFERENCES
Almigheri, Rami. “Remembering Mamoud, killed by an Israeli missile as he played football.”
Electronic Intifada, June 22, 2012. http://electronicintifada.net/content/rememberingmamoun-killed-israeli-missile-he-played-football/11434.
Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories. Report. 2014.
“Development of affairs since the FIFA 63rd Conference of Mauritius until today.” EXCO
meeting talking points, 2013.
“Incidents.” Red Card Israeli Racism, last modified May 2014. http://rcir.org.uk/?page_id=428.
Mishal, Yonathan and Sheinman, Moshe. “Rajoub wants to cut sports ties with Israel.” Ynet
news, November 18, 2013. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4454864,00.html.
Palestine Football Association. Israeli impediments against Palestinian Football infrastructure.
Ref: X-Ob/2011/010. Ramallah, Palestine: 2011.
Palestine Football Association. Israeli impediments on Palestinian shipments. Ref: XOb/2011/009. Ramallah, Palestine: May 5, 2011.
Palestine Football Association. 1st Report on the mechanism between the PFA& IFA. Ramallah,
Palestine: 2013.
Palestine Football Association. 2nd Report on the mechanism between the PFA& IFA. Ramallah,
Palestine: 2014.
Palestine Football Association. REPORT ON THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE PALESTINIAN
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF A FRIENDLY MATCH ON
THE FIFA DATE OF 17 NOVEMBER 2011. Ramallah, Palestine: November, 2011.
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APPENDIX
I.I Divisions of the West Bank Post-Oslo Accords
Source: WikiCommons, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Oslo_Areas_and_barrier_projection_2005.png
I.II Damages to Palestine Stadium 2012
Source: file, Palestine.Stadium.1
Source: file, Palestine.Stadium.3
V.I Damages Incurred by Coach Basel Mahmud
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Source: Shalabi, Susan. Email to Ronen Hershco, December 6, 2013. | X-Em-20140100Basel.Mahmud's.casePermits & other issues|
V.II Damages Incurred by Johar and Adam Halabiyeh
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35
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36
Nonviolence International and Palestine Football Association
Source: Shalabi, Susan. Email to Ronen Hershco, February 2, 2014. | X-Em-20140202Reg.Johar.&.Adam.Halabiyeh|
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[1] “Incidents,” Red Card Israeli Racism, last modified May 2014, http://rcir.org.uk/?page_id=428.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] “Incidents,” Red Card Israeli Racism, last modified May 2014, http://rcir.org.uk/?page_id=428.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Palestine Football Association, Israeli impediments against Palestinian Football infrastructure, Ref:
X-Ob/2011/010 (Ramallah, Palestine: 2011), 1.
[12] Ibid., 2.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ibid.
[17] Ibid.
[18] Ibid.
[19] Israeli impediments against Palestinian Football infrastructure, 2.
[20] Ibid.
[21] Ibid., 2-3.
[22] Ibid., 3.
[23] Ibid.
[24] Ibid.
[25] Ibid.
[26] Rajoub, Jibril. Fax to Joseph Blatter, November 18, 2012. | X-Pob-235-20121118Complaint.FIFA.President.Bombardment.of.stadium|
[27] Ibid.
[28] Rajoub, Jibril. Fax to Joseph Blatter, March 5, 2013. |X-Pob-020-20130227FIFA.P.protest.Israeli.transgressions|
[29] Ibid.
[30]Rajoub, Jibril. Fax to Joseph Blatter, March 5, 2013. |X-Pob-020-20130227FIFA.P.protest.Israeli.transgressions|
[31] Ibid.
[32] Ibid.
[33] “Development of affairs since the FIFA 63rd Conference of Mauritius until today” (EXCO meeting talking
points, 2013), 1. |10th.EXCO.Mtng.Talking.points|
[34] Valcke, Jerome. Fax to the Members of FIFA, October 14, 2013.
[35] Ibid.
[36] Palestine Football Association, Israeli restrictions on Movement, Ref: X-Ob/2011/08 (Ramallah,
Palestine: 2011), 1. |X-Ob-008-20110115-Israeli.restrictions.players.|
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[37] Ibid.
[38] Israeli restrictions on Movement, 1.
[39] Ibid.
[40] Ibid.
[41] Ibid., 2.
[42] Ibid.
[43] Ibid., 1.
[44] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi, August 15, 2013. | X-Em-20130816-
To.Naomi.on.Blatter's.visit.to.Palestine|
[45] Ibid.
[46] “Incidents,” Red Card Israeli Racism, last modified May 2014, http://rcir.org.uk/?page_id=428.
[47] Ibid.
[48] Israeli restrictions on Movement, 3.
[49] “Incidents,” Red Card Israeli Racism, last modified May 2014, http://rcir.org.uk/?page_id=428.
[50] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Kevin Lamour, August 16, 2013. |X-Em-20130814EUFA.Reg.WAFF.4th.GR|
[51] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Kevin Lamour, August 15, 2013. |X-Em-20130814EUFA.Reg.WAFF.4th.GR|
[52] Janakat, Isaac. Email to Susan Shalabi, May 16, 2013. |X-Em-20130520Myanmar.players.pro….pdf|
[53] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Moya Dodd, August 21, 2013.|X-Em-20130816Moya.reg.trouble.wit….pdf|
[54] Israeli restrictions on Movement, 3.
[55] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Primo Corvaro September 30, 2013. |X-Em-20130930-Corres-liaison-AFC
U19 Qualifiers-Men_8-11|
[56] Ibid.
[57] Ibid.
[58] Ibid.
[59] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Primo Corvaro September 30, 2013. |X-Em-20130930-Corres-liaison-AFC
U19 Qualifiers-Men_8-11|
[60] X-Ob-008-20110115-Israeli.restrictions.players.movement
[61] Israeli restrictions on Movement, 5.
[62] Ibid.
[63] Ibid.
[64] Ibid.
[65]Israeli restrictions on Movement, 5.
[66] Shalabi, Susan. Email to David Borja, October 28, 2010. |X-Ob-125-20101028to.MA's.more.Israeli.restrictions.on.players|
[67] Ibid.
[68] Ibid.
[69]Ibid.
[70] Shalabi, Susan. Email to David Borja, October 28, 2010. |X-Ob-125-20101028to.MA's.more.Israeli.restrictions.on.players|
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[71]Shalabi, Susan. Fax to Joseph Blatter, December 14, 2012. |X-Ob-218-20121214-
Letter.of.Protest.FIFA.President|
[72] Rajoub, Jibril. Letter to Joseph Blatter, February 27, 2013. |X-Pob-016-20130227FIFA.P.protest.Israeli.transgressions|
[73] Ibid.
[74] Ibid.
[75] Ibid.
[76] Ibid.
[77] Rajoub, Jibril. Letter to Joseph Blatter, February 27, 2013. |X-Pob-016-20130227FIFA.P.protest.Israeli.transgressions|
[78] Ibid.
[79] Ibid.
[80] Ibid.
[81] Ibid.
[82] Ibid.
[83] Ibid.
[84] Ibid.
[85] Ibid.
[86] Ibid.
[87] Ibid.
[88]Shalabi, Susan. Email to Primo Corvaro, September 20, 2013. |X-Ob-606-20130930-AFC U19
Qualifiers-Men_11-16.permitsd.difficulty|
[89] Ibid.
[90] Ibid.
[91] Ibid.
[92] Ibid.
[93] Borja, David. Email to International Department of the PFA, May 13, 2011. |X-Em-20110513David.Borja.faces.pro…pdf|
[94] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Pascal Torres, December 3, 2012. |X-Ob-215-20121203Iraqi.team.denied.entry.permits.to.Palestine|
[95] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Pascal Torres, December 3, 2012. |X-Ob-215-20121203Iraqi.team.denied.entry.permits.to.Palestine|
[96]Ibid.
[97] Ibid.
[98] Ibid.
[99] Ibid.
[100] Ibid.
[101] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Pascal Torres, December 3, 2012. |X-Ob-215-20121203Iraqi.team.denied.entry.permits.to.Palestine|
[102]Valcke, Jerome. Fax to Ori Shilo, March 8, 2013. |X-Ib-141-20130311FIFA.Letter.2.Israeli.FA.Reg.PAL.Complaints.|
[103] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Ko Ko Thein, May 18, 2013.|X-Em-20130520Myanmar.players.pro….pdf|
[104] Huong, Tran. Email to Tin Aung, May 20, 2013.|X-Em-20130520-Myanmar.players.pro….pdf|
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[105] Ibid.
[106] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Munem Fakhouri, May 25, 2013. | X-Em-20130522-
Munem.Fakhouri.problem|
[107] Infantino, Gianni. Letter to Avi Luzon, August 13, 2013. |X-Pib-120-20130813Platini.to.Luzon.reg.4th.waff.GR|
[108] Ibid.
[109] Ibid.
[110] Ibid.
[111] Ibid.
[112] Infantino, Gianni. Letter to Avi Luzon, August 13, 2013. |X-Pib-120-20130813Platini.to.Luzon.reg.4th.waff.GR|
[113] Ibid.
[114] Ibid.
[115] Ibid.
[116] Ibid.
[117] Ibid.
[118] Ibid.
[119] Ibid.
[120] Ibid.
[121] Ibid.
[122] Infantino, Gianni. Letter to Avi Luzon, August 13, 2013. |X-Pib-120-20130813Platini.to.Luzon.reg.4th.waff.GR|
[123] Ibid.
[124] Ibid.
[125] Ibid.
[126] Ibid.
[127] Ibid.
[128] Ibid.
[129] Ibid.
[130] Infantino, Gianni. Letter to Avi Luzon, August 13, 2013. |X-Pib-120-20130813Platini.to.Luzon.reg.4th.waff.GR|
[131] Ibid.
[132] Ibid.
[133] Ibid.
[134] Ibid.
[135] Ibid.
[136] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Primo Corvaro, September 30, 2013. |X-Ob-606-20130930-AFC U19
Qualifiers-Men_11-16.permitsd.difficulty|
[137] Ibid.
[138] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Primo Corvaro, September 30, 2013. |X-Ob-606-20130930-AFC U19
Qualifiers-Men_11-16.permitsd.difficulty|
[139] Ibid.
[140] Ibid.
[141] Ibid.
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[142] Israel Football Association. Letter to Jerome Valcke, August 25, 2013. |X-Ib-598-20130923-
Israeli.paper.for.1st.meeting|
[143] Ibid.
[144] Hershco, Ronen. Email to James Johnson, October 22, 2013. |X-Em-20131022Appointment.liaison.officer.&.FIFA.coordinator|
[145] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Montserrat Blazquez, August 13, 2013. |X-Em-20130812Corres.1st.FIFA.TF.meeting.Montserrat|
[146] Ibid.
[147] Ibid.
[148] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Montserrat Blazquez, August 30, 2013. |X-Em-20130812Corres.1st.FIFA.TF.meeting.Montserrat|
[149] Regenass, Thierry. Letter To Whom It May Concern, August 15, 2013. |X-Ib-482-20130815VISA.letter.Amassi|
[150] Ibid.
[151] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Ronen Hershco, November 9, 2013. |X-Em-20131109PFA.POC.officials.&. journalists.(Internal).Gaza-Ramallah|
[152]Ibid.
[153] Hershco, Ronen. Email to Susan Shalabi, November 10, 2013. |X-Em-20131109PFA.POC.officials.&. journalists.(Internal).Gaza-Ramallah|
[154] Hershco, Ronen. Email to Susan Shalabi, November 13, 2013. | X-Em-20131109PFA.POC.officials.&. journalists.(Internal).Gaza-Ramallah|
[155] Ibid.
[156] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Ronen Hershco, November 9, 2013. |X-Em-20131109PFA.POC.officials.&. journalists.(Internal).Gaza-Ramallah|
[157]Shalabi, Susan. Email to James Johnson, November 15, 2013. |X-Em-20131114james.johnson.to.Susan-CONFIDENTIAL-reg.mechanism|
[158]Kattner, Markus. Fax to Rotem Kamer and Abdelmajeed Hijjeh, November 15, 2013. X-Gib-48220131115-Movement.players.coaches.referees.&.officials
[159] Ibid.
[160] Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Report, (2014), 11. | X-Ib-021-20140113Israel.FA.letter.Regarding.2.Evaluation.Meeting.Between.IFA.&.PFA|
[161] Ibid.
[162] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Ronen Hershco, November 4, 2013. |X-Ob-643-20131104Permit.member..EDELGRASS.subcontractors_ FIFA D.O|
[163] Palestine Football Association, 1st Report on the mechanism between the PFA& IFA, (Ramallah,
Palestine: 2013), 1. | 20131123-Permit.Status.Monitor|
[164] Ibid.
[165] Report, 11.
[166] 1st Report on the mechanism, 1.
[167] Report, 11.
[168] 1st Report on the mechanism, 1.
[169] Report, 11.
[170] 1st Report on the mechanism, 2.
[171] Report, 11.
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[172] 1st Report on the mechanism, 2.
[173] Report, 11.
[174] 1st Report on the mechanism, 2.
[175] Report, 11.
[176]Palestine Football Association, 2nd Report on the mechanism between the PFA& IFA, (Ramallah,
Palestine: 2014), 2. |20140115-Permit.status.monitor|
[177] Ibid.
[178] 2nd Report on the mechanism, 2.
[179] Dabdoob, Mona. Email to Mr. Tan, February 4, 2014. |X-Em-20140131Forth.Official.Permit.AFC.Cup.2014.play.off|
[180] 2nd Report on the mechanism, 2.
[181] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Ronen Herschco, February 7, 2014. |X-Em-20140207Permit.AFC.instructor.Ziad.Akubeh|
[182] Kamer, Rotem. Letter to Markus Kattner, January 12, 2014. |X-Ib-021-20140113Israel.FA.letter.Regarding.2.Evaluation.Meeting.Between.IFA.&.PFA|
[183] Yonathan Mishal and Moshe Sheinman, “Rajoub wants to cut sports ties with Israel,” Ynet news,
November 18, 2013. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4454864,00.html.
[184] Palestine Football Association. Israeli impediments on Palestinian shipments, Ref: X-Ob/2011/009
(Ramallah, Palestine: May 5, 2011), 1. ||X-Ob-009-20110115-Israeli.restrictions.on.shipments|
[185] Israeli impediments on Palestinian shipments, 1-2.
[186] Israeli impediments on Palestinian shipments, 2.
[187] Israeli impediments on Palestinian shipments, 3.
[188] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Sami Makkawi June 24, 2009. |X-Em-20090815Addidas.Shipment.to.Palestine.final.fate|
[189]Daniela from FIFA Refereeing. Email to Susan Shalabi December 30, 2009.| X--Em-20091230Referee.2010.shipment.|
[190] Makkawi, Sami. Email to Susan Shalabi June 25, 2009. |X-Ib-098-20100225Referee.Distribution.2010.Addidas.equipment|
[191]Amstein, Eric. Letter to Sami Makkawi January 14, 2010. |X-Ib-099-201003229-FIFA Ref.
Distribution 10_Letter Palestine|
[192] Torres, Pascal. Letter to Whom it May Concern October 9, 2010. |X-Ib-093-20100322Pascal.Torres.UEFA-letter.of.Donor.Equipment|
[193] Israeli impediments on Palestinian shipments, 2-3.
[194]Nayblat, Deborah. Letter to Palestine Football Association May 30, 2014. |X-Ib-305-20101113UEFA.shipment.MSCUS8597151PALESTINIANFOOTBALLPROVIDER057|
[195] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Pascal Torres October 14, 2014. |X-Em-20101012Platini.Shipment.EUFA.corres|
[196] Hijjeh, Abdelmajeed. Letter to Deborah Nayblat November 10, 2010. |X-Gob-034-20101110to.MSC.Israel.to.reduce.costs|
[197] Torres, Pascal. Letter To Whom it May Concern November 9, 2010. |X-Ib-093-20100322Pascal.Torres.UEFA-letter.of.Donor.Equipment|
[198] Ibid.
[199] Trengrouse, Pedro. Email to Susan Shalabi June 22, 2009. |X-Em20090622.Pedro.Brazil.matches.FlamencoXCorinthians.corres|
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[200] Alvarez, Vera Cintia. Email to Susan Shalabi June 30, 2009. |X-Em-20090630-
Vera.Brazilian.MOFA.Conc.Brazilian.match.sep|
[201] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Pedro Trengrouse July 4, 2009. |X-Em20090704.Ram.Stadium.drawings.4.brazilian.match|
[202]Shalabi, Susan. Email to Pedro Trengrouse August 15, 2009. |X-Em20090813.Brazil.match.cancelled|
[203] Ibid.
[204] Ibid.
[205] Palestine Football Association, REPORT ON THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE PALESTINIAN
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF A FRIENDLY MATCH ON THE FIFA DATE OF 17
NOVEMBER 2011, (Ramallah, Palestine: November, 2011), 1.
[206] Ibid., 1-2.
[207] Ibid., 2.
[208] Ibid. , 2-3.
[209] Ibid., 3.
[210] Ibid.
[211] Ibid.
[212] Blatter, Joseph. Email to Jibril Rajoub November 19, 2010. 1|X-Pib-290-20101120-
FIFA.President.on.Israeli.actions|
[213] Ibid.
[214] Rami Almigheri, “Remembering Mamoud, killed by an Israeli missile as he played football,”
Electronic Intifada, June 22, 2012. http://electronicintifada.net/content/remembering-mamoun-killedisraeli-missile-he-played-football/11434.
[215] Ibid.
[216] Ibid.
[217]Rajoub, Jibril. Letter to Joseph Blatter June 9, 2012. |X-pob-108-20120609fifa.p.protest.against.israeli.actions|
[218] Ibid.
[219] Ibid.
[220] Ibid.
[221] Valcke, Jerome. Letter to Ori Shilo March 8, 2013. |X-Ib-141-20130311FIFA.Letter.2.Israeli.FA.Reg.PAL.Complaints.pdf|
[222] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Ronen Hershco February 1, 2014. |X-Em-20140131AFC.Cup.Jordan.AFC.Official.permit|
[223] Rajoub, Jibril. Letter to Joseph Blatter January 3, 2013. |X-Pob-002-20120104FIFA.P.letter.Israeli.force.breaks.into.Al-Husseini.stadium|
[224] Hershco, Ronen. Email to Susan Shalabi, December 26, 2013. |X-Em-20140100Basel.Mahmud's.casePermits & other issues|
[225] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Ronen Hershco, January 7, 2014. |X-Em-20140100Basel.Mahmud's.casePermits & other issues|
[226] Ibid.
[227] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Ronen Herscho, February 2, 2014. |X-Em-20140202Reg.Johar.&.Adam.Halabiyeh|
[228] Ibid.
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[229] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Ronen Herscho, February 8, 2014. |X-Em-20140202-
Reg.Johar.&.Adam.Halabiyeh|
[230]Shalabi, Susan. Email to Ronen Hershco, February 2, 2014. |X-Em-20140202Reg.Johar.&.Adam.Halabiyeh|
[231] Hershco, Ronen. Email to Susan Shalabi, February 17, 2014. |X-Em-20140214HADASA.REPORTS.ON.INJURED.PLAYERS|
[232] Shalabi, Susan. Email to Ronen Herscho, February 8, 2014. |X-Em-20140202Reg.Johar.&.Adam.Halabiyeh|
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