Rajoub talks to Al Jazeera about the Palestinian football crew’s planning in the midst of the conflict, their arrangements for the future and why game assumes a crucial part in Palestine.
Doha, Qatar – Palestine’s football crew left a mark on the world by keep their most memorable success in the AFC Asian Cup and qualifying for the knockout phase of the 2023 version of the competition in Qatar.
Feelings ran high for the players on the pitch, their allies in the arena and Palestinians back home when the full-time whistle was blown in their 3-0 win over Hong Kong at the Abdullah receptacle Khalifa Arena on January 23.
While the outcome might have given pleasure and transitory interruption from the continuous conflict in Gaza, dread and tension keep on grasping the group as they plan to take on has and reigning champs Qatar in their round-of-16 match on Monday.
In a restrictive meeting after last week’s success, Palestine Football Association President Jibril Rajoub told Al Jazeera how the still up in the air to carry on regardless of the conflict back home, how football’s overseeing body FIFA can “accomplish more” to help the Palestinians and what’s in store for Palestinian competitors.
The meeting has been altered for quickness and lucidity.
Al Jazeera: How might the progress of the Palestinian group affect individuals in Gaza?
Jibril Rajoub: We, the Palestinian football family, accept that the game can be a decent device to uncover the enduring of the Palestinian public and to feature their assurance and obligation to accomplishing their goals.
The group’s prosperity in the midst of such a horrendous circumstance – while individuals are being covered in their thousands in the midst of the obliteration, the monstrosities, the slaughter – is propelling our players to accomplish something for their kin.
The qualification in Asian Cup knockouts is an extraordinary accomplishment. It’s a decent message to our kin – it gives them trust.
Al Jazeera: How troublesome has it been for the group to collect and prepare for the Asian Cup?
Rajoub: It’s difficult. We have numerous players in Gaza who couldn’t enlist in the national football crew and different groups.
Yet, we shouldn’t and we won’t surrender.
In the West Bank, they are attempting to choke out everyone. They maintain that everyone should leave, however we are there and we will stay there.
In spite of the political and geographical split in Palestine [between Gaza and Israeli-occupied Palestinian territory], we are united.
The football crew is the one in particular that is working right now, so we are attempting to keep all the players outside Palestine to proceed with our 2026 World Cup qualification and cooperation in different events like this competition.
We have a few accommodating games arranged. We will make a trip to South Africa to meet the supporters of [Nelson] Mandela – their national group – on the commemoration of Mandela’s delivery on February 11.
We must choose between limited options aside from not surrendering.
We won’t leave our country. We won’t leave our homes.
Al Jazeera: How about FIFA accomplish other things to help Palestinian footballers?
Rajoub: [There’s a] a twofold standard strategy. FIFA and the International Olympic Board (IOC) ought to keep one guideline and one strategy.
The Israeli Football Association is coordinating official league games in the occupied regions of the Territory of Palestine, which is an unmistakable infringement of the rules of FIFA and the Olympic Sanction.
Also, I never hear any game association in Israel scrutinizing their administration’s assaults, obliteration and killing of [Palestinian] players.
We will continue to push the IOC and FIFA to follow their standards.
I trust the international local area, whether it’s game or common social orders, will comprehend that it’s an ideal opportunity to raise a red card [for Israel].
The Israelis reserve no privilege to deny others the very freedoms that they appreciate.
Al Jazeera: Has the conflict in Gaza impacted the fixation and focal point of the players?
Rajoub: Without a doubt. It is a preoccupation for them. Envision a player, his family members, his family, his neighbors, his colleagues [in Gaza]. It’s a misfortune. Yet, giving up isn’t and ought not be essential for our arrangement.
We shouldn’t surrender. We are all impacted [by the war] psychologically and physically, yet we need to proceed with our battle.
Al Jazeera: What does the future hold for the Palestinian group and players who should get back in the midst of the conflict?
Rajoub: We are the Palestinian public. We have been confronting a similar destiny, a similar predetermination, a similar circumstance.
We return home, we meet our families, and we again attempt to head off to some place to have on the grounds that game is impact of our obstruction. Sport is essential for our national obligation to our kin.
Al Jazeera: Palestine play Qatar, the hosts and reigning champs, in the round of 16. Might it be said that you are stressed over the game?
Rajoub: We are the most grounded group on the planet. Our assurance and persistence enable and spur our players.
