"FIFA Enables Genocide. Take Action Now!", 19 July 2024

Last night, FIFA...stepped in at the last minute to shield genocidal Israel from accountability by postponing Saturday’s vote on banning Israel until after the Olympics.

FIFA is guaranteeing the Israeli football team’s participation in the Paris Games as Israel escalates its genocide against 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza and continues its sporticide against Palestinian sports.

In just the past few days, Israel has killed footballers Sayeed Yousef Odeh (16), Yazan Al-Sarsawi (11) and Shadi Abu Al-Arraj (36).

On July 9, Israel bombed a UN school sheltering Palestinians forcibly displaced by its #GazaGenocide as children played football, killing at least 30. Israel has bombed nine schools sheltering Palestinians in Gaza in recent days.

Israel has killed at least 240 Palestinian footballers, including 67 children from the football academy, injured at least 15 and imprisoned 12.

Israel has targeted and damaged or destroyed 49 Palestinians sports facilities, including stadiums, pitches, and club houses. Stadiums in Gaza have been occupied by the Israeli military and used as detention and torture centers...

By continuing to shield Israel from accountability, FIFA is helping to create what the UN Secretary General calls “total impunity,” which allows Israel to carry out a livestreamed genocide and escalate its 76-year-old apartheid regime, with impunity. This must stop now...

The 47-member Asian Football Confederation, a FIFA organization, has called for Israel to be banned from FIFA. Petitions calling on FIFA to ban Israel have garnered more than 500,000 signatures...