The President of the Palestinian Football Association, Jibril Rajoub, refused to participate in a group photo with the official in the Israeli Football Association, Bassem Sheikh Suleiman, in a tense incident that followed the conclusion of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) conference. After Rajoub and Suleiman delivered their speeches to the delegates, FIFA President Gianni Infantino invited the two men to stand next to him to take a joint photo. However, Rajoub rejected the invitation, ignoring repeated attempts by Infantino to persuade him to participate. Rajoub was clearly heard saying, “We are suffering.” Suleiman serves as Vice President of the Israeli Football Association. The Palestinian Football Association recently filed an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) objecting to FIFA’s refusal to impose sanctions on Israel due to the participation of clubs located in the West Bank in competitions supervised by the Israeli Federation. The Palestinian Federation confirms that clubs based in settlements in the West Bank should not participate in tournaments run by the Israeli Federation. In statements to journalists on Thursday, Rajoub called on FIFA to “implement the laws fairly and logically.” He added, "What is happening in Palestine is tragic, from the destruction of sports facilities in Gaza to the killing of hundreds of athletes and workers... I believe the time has come to achieve justice." He pointed out that "the person who spoke on behalf of Israel did not show any interest in the suffering taking place." He stressed: “I refused to shake his hand. How can I shake hands or take a picture with such a person?”