Israel Demands FIFA BAN Jew-Hating Palestinian Official – Here's what to know

Israel's Sports Minister has launched a blistering campaign to oust a senior Palestinian Authority figure from world soccer's governing body after he publicly praised Hamas's October 7 attacks and called for more violence against Israeli civilians, just days before another deadly terror attack claimed three lives.

In a forceful letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar demanded the immediate expulsion of Jibril Rajoub, citing his recent statements celebrating the massacre and encouraging further violence.

"There is no place for individuals who encourage terror or violence within sporting institutions," Zohar wrote, noting that Rajoub's public call for attacks preceded last week's deadly shooting that killed a 70-year-old woman, a 73-year-old woman, and a 35-year-old man.

The controversy marks Rajoub's latest clash with FIFA, following a 2018 suspension for inciting hatred after he called for burning Lionel Messi jerseys ahead of a planned friendly match in Israel. His history of inflammatory statements includes claiming Jews deserved the Nazi genocide and suggesting the Palestinian Authority would use nuclear weapons against Israel if it had them.

Most recently, Rajoub described Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, the architect of October 7's attacks, as "pragmatic and patriotic" in a television interview, adding to a long record of statements that Zohar says "insult the values that international sport aims to promote."

"I will not rest until he is removed from all his positions," Zohar declared in his push to bar Rajoub from the global soccer organization.

Arutz Sheva contributed to this article.