The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate by the hour. Over 30 international legal experts have joined the original call, writing to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin calling for Israel’s suspension from international football as they call for action against the Israeli Football Association (IFA). Israel’s presence and participation in UEFA competitions has long roused controversy. This backlash is no doubt due to persistent charges of human rights violations and violations of international law.
Israel has allowed teams from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank to compete in its professional leagues. Further, these settlements are illegal under international law. Enforcement of FIFA regulations has inspired a great deal of hype and outrage. Activists and human rights groups have claimed that Israel’s systematic extermination of ethnic Arabs within Palestine qualifies as genocide.
The importance of the issue has been underscored by recent public protests and a warning by U.S. Hundreds of Norwegian fans demonstrated ahead of their national team’s match against Israel, holding Palestinian flags and banners that accused Israel of apartheid and genocide. Norway went on to pull off a remarkable upset, beating the U.S. 5-0 in that game. At the same time, protests expressed the growing anger over Israel’s role in football.
In the face of these protests, legal scholars have been raising their voices in a letter to Ceferin. They emphasized the need for UEFA to suspend Israel, stating, “We urge you to uphold the integrity of the sport and immediately suspend the IFA and all affiliated teams from UEFA competitions until Israel ends the genocide and its unlawful occupation, and fully complies with its obligations under international law.”
Activists from the very new but vocal group Game Over Israel are making some of the loudest noises. They are calling for an end to Israeli participation in football altogether. They contend that if Israeli teams are permitted to compete, it only perpetuates the normalization of what they say are war crimes. John Dugard, a prominent human rights lawyer, warned that by continuing to host Israeli teams, UEFA risks complicity in these alleged violations.
“Stop allowing football to sports-wash genocide. The world sees through it and we’re demanding a full Israeli boycott across football. The Federations can’t hide anymore. Suspend Israel.” – Game Over Israel
Israel is currently third in Group I of the UEFA qualifiers. The entire squad looks forward to a thrilling contest in Rome against Italy. Security concerns overshadow this fixture amid fears of even more intense protests. The United States government has signaled its intention to block any potential attempts to exclude Israel from World Cup qualifying matches should they qualify.
In the early 1930s, Israel played many matches under draconian restrictions. The country was suspended from Asian football in 1970 and has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup via a European quota. Some activists draw parallels between Israel’s current situation and historical precedents, such as the suspension of Nazi Germany from football during the post-World War II era.
“Remember what Europe did after World War II. Nazi Germany was suspended from football, and the Nuremberg trials took place.” – Ashish Prashar
This denouncement of Israel’s apparent actions has been said many times over by other human rights activists. Craig Mokhiber, the UN’s Human Rights office chief, declared that Israel has violated so many “red lines” that it should be barred from international sports. He reminded the assembled that mass imprisonment, systematic torture, illegal occupation and apartheid are not mere violations of international law or even human rights.
“Mass imprisonment is a red line. Systematic torture is a red line. Illegal occupation is a red line. Apartheid is a red line. And genocide is the reddest line of all.” – Craig Mokhiber
Calls for inspection and action have intensified. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin is under increasing pressure to address the credible and serious allegations against Israel. The ongoing conflict in Gaza and its implications for international relations and sports governance remain at the forefront of public discourse.
