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FIFA Urged To Kick Out Israeli Clubs Located In West Bank

FIFA is "facing pressure to rule next month that six Israeli football clubs based in illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories should either relocate to Israel" or be banned from FIFA-recognized competitions, according to Peter Beaumont of the London GUARDIAN. A report by Human Rights Watch -- published on Monday before a FIFA meeting in October -- "follows an online petition signed by more than 150,000 people as well as an open letter from dozens of European MEPs this month" calling on FIFA to act on the issue. The clubs in question, all located in the West Bank, include Beitar Givat Ze’ev, Beitar Ironi Ariel, Ironi Yehuda, Beitar Ironi Maale Adumim and Hapoel Bik’at Hayarden, "all of which play in the lower Israeli leagues." The publication of the report "comes amid hints" from South African sports official Tokyo Sexwale, who heads FIFA’s committee set up to consider the issue, that it will "present recommendations on a number of complaints from Palestinian football concerning Israel, including the issue of settlement teams." The move is opposed by Israel’s FA and by the clubs involved. They say that a ban on playing in settlements "would punish children involved with the clubs, as well as the clubs themselves," and that FIFA has no authority to "define what is Israeli territory." HRW argues that "settlement playing grounds, including one indoor hall, are built on land that has been unlawfully taken from Palestinians" (GUARDIAN, 9/25).

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