The French Parliament raised the possibility of expelling Israel from FIFA
French MP Julien Odul raised the possibility of Israel being expelled from the International Football Federation (FIFA) amid Palestinian demands. This is stated in the deputy’s address to the Minister of Sports, Olympic, Paralympic and French Amelie Oudea-Caster. Lenta.ru studied the text of the parliamentarian’s letter.
“Mr. Julien Odul draws the attention of the Minister of Sports, Olympic and Paralympic Games [Франции Амели Удеа-Кастера] at the risk of Israel being expelled from FIFA. Indeed, on May 17, 2024, the Palestinian Football Federation (FPF) applied for and secured the inclusion of the Palestinian situation on the agenda of the 74th FIFA Congress. Thus, the FPF, supported in particular by Iraq, Jordan, Syria or Yemen, demanded the expulsion of Israel from the International Football Federation,” Odul recalled.
In 2015, a similar petition was filed by the Palestinian football federation seeking Israel’s suspension based on claims that “Israel is obstructing Palestinian football and does not respect international law.” This comedy must stop. In a situation where the State of Israel is tirelessly fighting Hamas terrorists, this purely political proposal is unacceptable
In this regard, he asked the head of the French Ministry of Sports whether she intended to speak out against the expulsion of Israel from FIFA. Such an action, according to the author of the appeal, “will serve as a dangerous signal: a signal about the superiority of Islamist terrorism over democracy and freedom.”
“Mr. Deputy asks Madam Minister what is France’s position regarding the place of the State of Israel on international platforms. He asks her if she is going to express her firm and unequivocal disagreement with the expulsion of Israel from FIFA,” the deputy emphasizes.
In February, a group of 13 members of the European Parliament called on FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to ban Israeli clubs and national teams from competitions due to the conflict in the Gaza Strip. That same month, 12 Middle Eastern countries called on FIFA to ban Israel from international tournaments, including Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
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On October 7, 2023, the Palestinian Hamas movement attacked Israel. The country called the attack a war and on October 10 began launching large-scale strikes against Hamas militant targets in the Gaza Strip in response.
Tel Aviv’s actions are regularly criticized, including by the UN. The organization, for example, condemned Israel’s strike on a displaced persons camp in Rafah, which killed at least 35 people.
Source: Lenta
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