Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub refused to stand alongside Israel Football Association Vice-President Basim Sheikh Suliman at the 76th FIFA Congress. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had called both officials to the stand during the proceedings.

Infantino put his hand on Rajoub's arm and gestured for him to come closer to Suliman, who is a Palestinian citizen of Israel. Rajoub did not move toward him.

"We will work together, President Rajoub, Vice President Suliman. Let's work together to give hope to the children. These are complex matters." Infantino said at the congress.

Susan Shalabi, Vice President of the Palestinian Football Association, addressed the refusal. "I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide! We are suffering." she said. Israel has denied committing genocide in Gaza.

In his speech to the congress, Rajoub pleaded for Israeli clubs not to base teams in West Bank settlements. The Palestinian Football Association has argued that clubs based in West Bank settlements should not compete in leagues run by the Israel Football Association.

FIFA said it would take no action against the Israel Football Association or Israeli clubs, citing the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under public international law. The Palestinian Football Association appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against FIFA's decision not to sanction Israel over clubs based in West Bank settlements.

The dispute over settlement-based clubs has been a central element of the Palestinian Football Association's engagement with FIFA. The association's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport came after FIFA declined to sanction the Israel Football Association or its clubs. FIFA grounded its position in the unresolved legal status of the West Bank under public international law.