FIFA & UN

United Nations, Oct 4 (PL) The displays of racism towards the Palestinian people and players by Israeli soccer clubs today set off the alarms of human rights experts who consider these actions to be in violation of international law.

A recent statement signed by independent United Nations (UN) rapporteurs and investigators called out the International Federation of the sport (FIFA) for what they described as breaches of international law.

Over the years, at least eight soccer clubs have played in Israeli colonial settlements in the occupied West Bank, the report said.

The experts recalled that international human rights law includes the prohibition of racial discrimination and apartheid, which applies to private international organizations such as soccer teams.

FIFA must demand that Israeli clubs comply with international law, the publication reaffirmed, urging it to discuss the matter at its upcoming meeting this month.

In this regard, they reminded the Federation of the decision of the International Court of Justice that deemed the Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, illegal.

In a landmark ruling issued in July, the UN's highest court further demanded "an immediate cessation of all new settlement activities" and recommended other states to disavow Israel's illegal presence in Palestinian demarcations.

"International organizations, including the United Nations, are under an obligation, not to recognize the situation arising from the illegal presence of the State of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory," the document further said.

The Court urged other UN bodies, such as the General Assembly and the Security Council, to consider the precise modalities and additional measures necessary to put an end as soon as possible to the illegal presence of the State of Israel in the OPT.