France condemns, concerned over Israeli actions in Gaza, West Bank, Jerusalem
The French Foreign Ministry has issued a statement expressing concern over the “deteriorating situation” in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Gaza, the occupied West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem.
Here are some of the key points:
- France strongly condemned “shots fired by Israel at a World Food Programme vehicle in Gaza on [Tuesday], which led to the suspension of WFP’s activities in the Gaza Strip”.
- France also stated that “large-scale Israeli military operations in several governorates are exacerbating the climate of unprecedented instability and violence” in the occupied West Bank.
- France also condemned the “irresponsible remarks” of far-right Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir about the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and said “now systematic challenge” to the status quo, regarding the holy site in Jerusalem, is contributing to widespread unrest.
FIFA pushes back review of Palestinian bid to suspend Israel
FIFA has announced it will address a Palestinian request to suspend Israel from international football competitions in October, delaying its previously scheduled response date of August 31.
The football governing body did not offer further details of the upcoming assessment, or state when in October it would occur.
The proposal by the Palestine Football Association (PFA) accuses its Israeli counterpart of complicity in violations of international law by the Israeli government, discrimination against Arab players, and inclusion in its league of clubs located in Palestinian territory.
The PFA also says that at least 92 Palestinian players have been killed in the Gaza war, football infrastructure has been destroyed, and its leagues have been suspended.
