Gianni Infantino’s attempt at Israel-Palestine handshake backfires
Summary
Fifa president Gianni Infantino tried to get Palestinian and Israeli football officials to shake hands at a congress event, but the Palestinian leader refused. Infantino also announced he will run for a third term as Fifa president next year, with no expected opponents.Key Facts
- Gianni Infantino is the president of Fifa and plans to run for a third full term next year.
- Infantino called Palestinian and Israeli football officials to the stage to shake hands during the 76th Fifa congress.
- Palestinian Football Federation president Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands with Israel’s vice-president Basim Sheikh Suliman.
- The handshake attempt was seen as an effort to create a peace gesture and a photo opportunity before Infantino’s re-election announcement.
- Infantino first became Fifa president in 2016 and rules changed to count only full terms toward his term limit.
- The election will take place at the Fifa congress in Rabat, Morocco, and Infantino is expected to win easily.
- Palestinian officials said they cannot shake hands because they see the Israeli official as representing ongoing suffering.
- Infantino called for cooperation despite the rejection and mentioned the complex nature of the conflict.
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