Intensifying Protests: Demands for Sporting Boycotts in Israel Gain Momentum

In the world of sports, political tensions have been brewing for some time, particularly concerning Israeli sports. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended the Russian Olympic Committee in 2022 due to violations of another state's territorial integrity, but Israel is currently facing a similar storm.

Recent events have highlighted the ethical dilemmas surrounding Israeli sports. In September 2024, Norwegian footballer Ole Saeter declined an offer to join Maccabi Haifa, citing ethical reasons. His decision was a reflection of growing discontent among athletes and activists who are calling for a boycott of Israeli sports in Europe.

These calls have grown louder than ever in European democracies, with some arguing that they strengthen anti-Semitic sentiment. However, others counter that the boycott is a form of peaceful protest against the Israeli government's actions in the occupied territories.

The Israeli Football Association (IFA) is part of FIFA, raising questions about indirect support for the illegal settlement policy. In January 2024, the International Ice Hockey Federation temporarily excluded the Israeli national teams from its competitions due to similar concerns.

Several Israeli sports clubs in football, basketball, or netball have been based in the West Bank settlements, considered illegal by the International Court of Justice and the United Nations. These clubs participate in Israeli leagues despite being situated in territories internationally recognized as occupied, thus violating FIFA’s rules.

Human Rights Watch has shown that sports facilities and clubhouses built by Israeli clubs in the West Bank were constructed on seized Palestinian land. The Palestinian Football Association's Susan Shalabi compares the Israeli government's use of sports to support its territorial claims to Russia.

The Israeli government's actions in the occupied territories have resulted in significant loss of life. Over 62,000 people have been killed in Gaza following a Hamas attack in October 2023 and Israel's military response. More than 700,000 Israeli settlers live in the occupied territories, and around 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the war in the West Bank.

The mayor of Udine called for the relocation of the World Cup qualifying match between Italy and Israel, scheduled to take place in Udine on October 14. However, the match is expected to proceed despite the mayor's call, with protests against Israel anticipated.

FIFA has postponed a decision on the exclusion demands against Israel several times, and neither FIFA nor UEFA responded to a request for comment for this article. The future of Israeli sports in the international arena remains uncertain, with tensions running high and calls for change growing ever louder.