Palestinian soccer federation President Jibril Rajoub refused to stand beside Israel Football Association Vice President Basim Sheikh Suliman during a tense moment at the International Federation of Association Football Congress in Vancouver. Despite efforts by the federation's president to bring the two officials together on stage, Rajoub declined to shake hands, citing anger over Israel’s actions in Gaza and the ongoing dispute over settlement-based clubs.

Rajoub and Palestinian officials said that a public handshake would have undermined his speech calling for sanctions against Israel and for action against Israeli clubs based in West Bank settlements. Israel has denied accusations of genocide, and the global governing body recently decided not to sanction Israel, pointing to the unresolved legal status of the territory under international law.

The Palestinian federation has appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, maintaining that settlement clubs should not compete in Israeli leagues. As the officials left the venue, they were confronted by protesters urging a ban on Iran from the World Cup, a call Rajoub rejected, saying Palestinians simply seek broader international support.