By Ramzy Baroud, CounterPunch
The Palestine National Football Team has, once more, done the seemingly impossible by qualifying for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. By any standards, this is a great achievement, especially as the Palestinians have done it with style and convincing victories over Mongolia, Yemen and the Philippines, without conceding a single goal. However, for Palestinians, this is hardly about sports.

This accomplishment can only be appreciated within the larger context of the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
In November 2006, the Israeli military prevented all Palestine-based footballers from participating in the final match of the Asian Football Confederation qualification group stage. The news had a major demoralizing effect on all Palestinians. Even rare moments of hope and happiness are often crushed by Israel.
As disappointing as the Israeli decision was, it was hardly compared to the collective shock felt by Palestinians everywhere when, in 2007, Palestinian players were not allowed to participate in a decisive World Cup qualifying game against Singapore. Instead of showing solidarity with Palestinians and condemning Israel, the International Football Association (FIFA) decided to award an automatic victory to Singapore of 3-0.
This is why Palestine’s latest qualification is historic, as it is more proof that Palestinian resilience has no bounds. It sends a message to Israel as well, that its unjust draconian measures will never break the spirit of the Palestinian people.
Recent Posts
Bernie Sanders: ‘Extremely Modest’ Spending Bill Fails To Meet The Moment
August 14, 2022
Take Action Now Vermont senator says party squandered chance to be bold, and takes aim at ‘corporate Democrats’ Sinema and Manchin……
For The First Time, Medicare Will Be Able To Negotiate Drug Prices
August 14, 2022
Take Action Now We’ve been able to cap how much Medicare recipients will have to pay out of pocket each year for prescription drugs. And, drug…
Joe Manchin Isn’t Owed A Pipeline
August 13, 2022
Take Action Now Acting on climate doesn’t entitle him to the pipeline of his choice. By Bill McKibben, The Crucial…
NATO Expansion Will Not Shore Up The World Order
August 13, 2022
Take Action Now For a longterm peace, the region needs new security structures outside of the alliance that eventually include Russia.……