FIFA president Infantino's attempted Israel‑Palestine handshake backfires at congress
Fast facts
- Category: Middle East
- Language: EN
- Published: 2026-05-01 10:57 UTC
- Sources: Middle East Eye
At the FIFA Congress on May 1, President Gianni Infantino attempted to stage a symbolic handshake between Israeli and Palestinian representatives, but the effort failed. Middle East Eye reported the incident, noting that the planned gesture was disrupted and drew criticism. The episode reflects ongoing political sensitivities surrounding the Israel‑Palestine conflict within international sport.