Israel’s Military Claims Palestinian Soccer Players Are Hamas Operatives Amid Diplomatic Rift
During the World Cup, Israel accused Palestinian soccer players of being Hamas and PIJ terrorists, presenting evidence of twelve individuals, including a FIFA referee. Palestinian Authority President Jibril Rajoub, a convicted terrorist, has used sport to delegitimize Israel and defended the Oct. 7 massacre, prompting a diplomatic clash with FIFA.
Jul 25, 2026