Arsenal Football Club is facing legal action after firing long-serving equipment manager Mark Bonnick after he expressed solidarity with Palestine on social media.
Palestinian refugee camps are known for producing resistance fighters and footballers. But Israel’s ongoing onslaught in Gaza and the West Bank is erasing every aspect of Palestinian life, including sports.
BDS victory: Puma will not renew its sponsorship of Israel’s national football team.
As the World Cup enters its final 10 days, many can only guess at who might take home the whole thing. What can be said for certain, however, is that Palestine has won people’s hearts, and captivated the world’s attention like no other — and their team isn’t even playing.
FIFA says it wants to make football “accessible and inclusive.” But Israel is criminally denying Palestine access to the sport. FIFA should follow the anti-Israel-apartheid petition launched by the Canadian group Just Peace Advocates and affirm: Countries that systemically violate human rights are not allowed to play in FIFA matches. Respecting that means honoring Palestinians’ right to live, play and enjoy soccer free from Israeli oppression.
Palestinians activists are protesting this weekend at storefronts and offices for the German athletic wear manufacturer Puma. The reason? Puma sponsors the Israel Football Association (IFA), which includes six teams in settlements in the West Bank.