Intensifying Demands for Boycotts in Israeli Sports Sectors

In the world of sports, politics often intertwines, and this is evident in the case of Israeli sports clubs operating in West Bank settlements. Over the past decade, human rights organisations such as Human Rights Watch, B'Tselem, and the United Nations have campaigned against this practice, as these settlements have been declared illegal by the International Court of Justice and the United Nations.

The Israeli government, however, uses sports as a platform for its messages, and some athletes and clubs are content to be involved. This has led to a series of controversies and calls for boycotts, particularly in Europe.

One such instance occurred in January 2024, when the International Ice Hockey Federation initially excluded the Israeli national teams from its competitions. However, the decision was later reversed due to criticism.

A significant concern is the construction of sports facilities and clubhouses by Israeli clubs on Palestinian-owned land that was seized. This issue has been a recurring topic in the discussions surrounding the legality and ethics of these sports clubs' operations.

Not all athletes are comfortable representing Israel due to moral reasons. Norwegian footballer Ole Saeter declined an offer to join Maccabi Haifa in September 2024, citing these concerns.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has also fuelled the boycott calls. More than 62,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanjahu.

In response to these calls, the Norwegian federation has planned to donate the revenues from the World Cup qualifier against Israel to organisations working in Gaza. The mayor of Udine also called for the relocation of the World Cup qualifying match between Italy and Israel, scheduled to take place in Udine on October 14, due to the ongoing conflict.

FIFA, the governing body of world football, has been at the centre of these debates. FIFA's Article 3 commits to respecting and promoting all internationally recognized human rights, and Article 72 states that member associations may not play on the territory of another member association without approval. However, FIFA has postponed a decision on Israel's exclusion demands several times. Neither FIFA nor UEFA responded to a request for this article.

The Israeli Football Association, being part of FIFA, is accused by some of indirectly supporting the illegal settlement policy. The Russian football association's integration of Ukrainian clubs into Russian leagues following the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 serves as a comparison in this regard.

The Israeli Football Association operates clubs in the West Bank settlements, which are considered illegal by the International Court of Justice and the United Nations. The association, however, maintains that it operates in accordance with all FIFA rules, and nothing to the contrary has ever been found.

Despite these controversies, the Israeli Football Association continues to face few serious penalties for racist chants and shouts in Israeli stadiums. Last season, there were 367 documented incidents, an increase of almost two-thirds.

Meanwhile, Palestinian footballers face harassment and travel restrictions, with many national players having been abroad for months to avoid possible restrictions. These challenges underscore the complexities and controversies surrounding sports in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.