The scene unfolded in Vancouver. During the 76th FIFA Congress on Thursday April 30, Palestine Football Association President Jibril Rajoub flatly refused to shake hands with Israel Football Association Vice-President Basim Sheikh Suliman. Gianni Infantino called both men to the stage, placed his hand on Rajoub’s arm and tried to pull him closer. The Palestinian held firm and walked off.

The quote says it all. Palestinian FA Vice-President Susan Shalabi, who was in the room, told Reuters what Rajoub said in the moment of refusal: “I cannot shake the hand of someone the Israelis have brought to whitewash their fascism and genocide. We are suffering.” Israel denies committing genocide in Gaza.

The background is political. Rajoub had spent 15 minutes in his speech demanding FIFA sanction Israel for allowing Israeli clubs to operate in occupied West Bank settlements. The Palestinian Federation has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after FIFA decided in March not to suspend Israel over those clubs. FIFA cited “the complex legal status” of the West Bank.

Infantino tried to paper over the moment. He told the stage: “Let’s work together. Let’s work together to give hope to the children.” But Rajoub had already left the podium. The final image shows Infantino shaking the hand of Israel FA President Moshe Zuares while the Palestinian walks away.