FIFA “violating its own commitments” by not banning Israel
Staff Writer
October 3, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Anger (70%)
negative
Key Takeaways
- Omar Shakir, Human Rights Watch Director for Israel and Palestine, commented on FIFA's position regarding Israel.
- The central issue is whether Israel should be allowed to play in FIFA events.
- This question is framed against the backdrop of the Israeli military's actions in Gaza.
- Human Rights Watch explicitly uses the term 'genocide' to describe the situation in Gaza.
- The discussion links international sports governance with serious human rights concerns.
Omar Shakir, who serves as the Israel and Palestine Director for Human Rights Watch, has publicly addressed a contentious issue involving the global football governing body, FIFA. Shakir is questioning the ethical and moral implications of allowing the Israeli national team to participate in FIFA competitions. This scrutiny is directly linked to the ongoing military operations conducted by Israel in Gaza, which Human Rights Watch characterizes as a genocide. The discussion highlights the tension between international sports regulations and severe allegations of human rights abuses. Shakir's statement puts pressure on FIFA to consider its stance amid these grave international circumstances. The issue was published on October 3, 2025.
