Doha, Qatar – The Palestinian football team made history by recording their first victory in the AFC Asian Cup and qualifying for the round of 16 of the 2023 edition of the tournament in Qatar.
Emotions ran high for the players on the pitch, their supporters in the stadium and the Palestinians at home when the final whistle blew in their 3-0 victory over Hong Kong at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium on January 23 .
Although the result may have brought joy and a momentary distraction from the ongoing war in Gaza, fear and anxiety continue to grip the team as they prepare to face the host nation and defending champions, Qatar, during their round of 16 match on Monday.
In an exclusive interview following last week’s victory, Palestinian Football Federation president Jibril Rajoub told Tel Aviv Tribune how the team is determined to continue despite the war in his country, how the governing body of the football, FIFA, can “do more” to help the Palestinians and what is the future. is valid for Palestinian athletes.
The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
Tel Aviv Tribune: What does the success of the Palestinian team mean for the people of Gaza?
Jibril Rajoub: We, the Palestinian football family, believe that this sport can be a good tool to denounce the suffering of the Palestinian people and highlight their determination and commitment to achieve their goals.
The team’s success in such a terrible situation – when thousands of people are buried amid destruction, atrocities, genocide – motivates our players to achieve something for their people.
Qualifying for the round of 16 of the Asian Cup is a great success. This is a good message for our people – it gives them hope.
Tel Aviv Tribune: How difficult was it for the team to come together and train for the Asian Cup?
Rajoub: It is not easy. We have many players in Gaza who were unable to join the national football team or other teams.
But we should not give up and we will not give up.
In the West Bank, they are trying to suffocate everyone. They want everyone to leave, but we are here and we will stay here.
Despite the political and geographic division in Palestine (between Gaza and the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel), we are united.
The football team is the only one functioning at the moment, so we are trying to keep all players outside of Palestine in order to continue our qualification for the 2026 World Cup and participation in other events like this tournament.
We have a few friendly matches planned. We will travel to South Africa to meet (Nelson) Mandela’s followers – their national team – on the anniversary of Mandela’s release on February 11.
We have no choice but not to give up.
We will not leave our country. We will not leave our homes.
Tel Aviv Tribune: Do you think FIFA can do more to help Palestinian footballers?
Rajoub: (There is) a policy of double standards. FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should follow one standard and one policy.
The Israel Football Federation is organizing official championship matches in the occupied territories of the State of Palestine, which is a blatant violation of the FIFA statutes and the Olympic Charter.
Second, I have never heard any sports organization in Israel criticize the attacks, destruction and killing of (Palestinian) players by their government.
We will continue to push the IOC and FIFA to follow their principles.
I hope that the international community, whether it is sport or civil society, understands that it is time to show a red card (to Israel).
Israelis do not have the right to deny others the same rights they enjoy.
Tel Aviv Tribune: Has the war in Gaza affected players’ concentration and attention?
Rajoub: Certainly. This is a concern for them. Imagine a player, his loved ones, his family, his neighbors, his colleagues (in Gaza). It’s a tragedy. But capitulating is not and should not be part of our plan.
We should not give up. We are all affected (by the war) psychologically and physically, but we must continue our struggle.
Tel Aviv Tribune: What future for the Palestinian team and players who will have to return home in the middle of war?
Rajoub: We are the Palestinian people. We faced the same fate, the same destiny, the same situation.
We go home, we meet our families and we try to go play somewhere again because sport is part of our resistance. Sports is part of our national duty to our people.
Tel Aviv Tribune: Palestine faces hosts and defending champions Qatar in the round of 16. Are you worried about the match?
Rajoub: We are the strongest team in the world. Our determination and patience empower and motivate our players.