{"id":59004,"date":"2015-06-01T12:00:03","date_gmt":"2015-06-01T11:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=59004"},"modified":"2015-05-31T18:35:49","modified_gmt":"2015-05-31T17:35:49","slug":"palestinian-soccer-head-under-fire-after-withdrawing-motion-to-suspend-israel-from-fifa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2015\/06\/palestinian-soccer-head-under-fire-after-withdrawing-motion-to-suspend-israel-from-fifa\/","title":{"rendered":"Palestinian Soccer Head under Fire after Withdrawing Motion to Suspend Israel from FIFA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rajoub\u2019s critics take to social media to strongly condemn his decision and call for his dismissal from his job. <\/em><\/p>\n

\"Caricatures<\/a>

Caricatures depicting Palestine Football Association President Jabril Rajoub. (photo credit:screenshot)<\/p><\/div>\n

Jibril Rajoub, chairman of the Palestinian Football Association, is facing sharp criticism for dropping his demand on Friday [29 May 2015] to suspend Israel from the FIFA world soccer federation.<\/p>\n

Rajoub\u2019s last-minute announcement came as a surprise to many Palestinians, especially after his repeated statements that nothing would stop him from pursuing his anti-Israel bid.<\/p>\n

On the eve of FIFA\u2019s 65th Congress in Zurich, Rajoub\u2019s PFA organized several protests in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip in favor of the expulsion of Israel from the international body.<\/p>\n

On Saturday, the PFA\u2019s website was hacked by angry protesters who denounced Rajoub as a \u201ctraitor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many Palestinians also expressed outrage over the handshake in Switzerland between Rajoub and Ofer Eini, chairman of the Israel Football Association, which took place shortly after the former announced his decision to abandon the motion asking for Israel to be suspended from FIFA.<\/p>\n

Rajoub\u2019s critics took to social media to strongly condemn his decision and call for his dismissal from his position.<\/p>\n

Scores of Palestinians signed an online petition calling for the firing of Rajoub for his \u201csurprise and uncalculated\u201d move. \u201cThis decision has caused enormous damage to the Palestinian cause and sports,\u201d the petition reads. \u201cThe Palestinian people need serious leaders who are capable of achieving the right to self-determination.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some Palestinian activists expressed deep concern that Rajoub\u2019s decision would hinder efforts to promote boycotts against Israel in the international community. Others launched an online campaign titled \u201cRed Card for Jibril Rajoub.\u201d<\/p>\n

One activist wrote: \u201cRajoub\u2019s decision is a severe blow to millions of Palestinians and those who support our cause. It\u2019s time to say enough to corruption, dictatorial decisions and political concessions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wala\u2019 Sameeh, from the Gaza Strip, wrote on Twitter: \u201cRajoub does not represent me. He has disappointed the Palestinian people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blogger Muhammad Abu Allan pointed out that Rajoub has left many Palestinians deeply disappointed.<\/p>\n

Another blogger, Eid Shkhaidem, commented: \u201cAs long as there are collaborators like Jibril Rajoub and [PA President] Mahmoud Abbas, Palestine will never be liberated.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine called for an immediate investigation into Rajoub\u2019s decision, which it described as a \u201csevere blow to the blood of our martyrs, prisoners and patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rajoub\u2019s decision \u201cbeautifies the ugly face of occupation and exonerates it from crimes against our people,\u201d the PFLP said. The decision was a blow to pro-Palestinian activists and organizations working to promote boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel, it added.<\/p>\n

Palestinian columnist Emad Abu al-Rus wrote that he was not surprised by Rajoub\u2019s \u201clight-hearted\u201d move to drop the demand to have Israel suspended from FIFA.<\/p>\n

\u201cRajoub was never a real athlete or a general,\u201d Abu al-Rus remarked. \u201cThis is a man who never completed his high school studies.\u201d<\/p>\n

He and other Palestinians pointed out that Rajoub was one of the first security commanders to conduct security coordination with Israel after the signing of the Oslo Accords and the establishment of the Palestinian Authority. Rajoub, who served more than 16 years in Israeli prison for terrorism-related activities, was the first commander of the PA\u2019s Preventive Security Service in the West Bank.<\/p>\n

Another columnist, Hashem Khalidi, said he too was not surprised by Rajoub\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose who know his history are aware that Rajoub had sold his people to Israel when he was commander of the Preventive Security Service. This month represents only himself and not the heroic Palestinian people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hamas strongly condemned the decision to drop the anti-Israel motion, saying it showed the PA leadership\u2019s true attitude toward Israel.<\/p>\n

Palestinians no longer trust the PA\u2019s promises to file war crime charges against Israel with the International Criminal Court, Hamas spokesman Hussam Badran said.<\/p>\n

__________________________________<\/p>\n

MORE:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n