FIFA President Gianni Infantino wrote to the football federations of Israel and Palestine on Friday to offer condolences for last week’s “horrible violence” in a conflict that has left more than 2,700 dead and thousands injured so far.
In the letter first reported by Sky News, Infantino and world football’s governing body called for “an immediate end to hostilities and immediate relief of the suffering of the people of Israel and Palestine”, and said that football can be a “vehicle for peace.”
Infantino’s letter said: “It is as heartbreaking as it is shocking to see a region, whose residents have experienced such deep suffering for far too long, suffering even more.
Of course we know that football cannot solve the world’s problems, but it can play even a small role in bringing a glimmer of hope where there seems to be only darkness to come,” Infantino added.
“Football shows that it is possible to bring people together in an environment of mutual respect, acting as a vehicle for peace and ultimately reconciliation, even if it seemed impossible to all but a few.
“I would like to emphasize that FIFA will do everything in its power to assist you in your relief efforts and to restore peace and hope for your people, now and in the future.”
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin sent a similar letter to Shino Moshe Zuares, president of the Israeli FA, on Thursday, saying that “the pain and sorrow runs deep and resonates throughout the football community.”
The letters come after Hamas, an Islamist militant group that governs Gaza, launched an attack on Israel on Saturday. Israel officially declared war on Hamas a day later.
UEFA has postponed Israel’s European Championship qualifying matches against Switzerland and Kosovo, which were due to take place on Thursday and Sunday respectively.
Israel must now play three Euro 2024 qualifying matches during the week-long international break next month, designed for just two matches.
