Condemnation of the massacre in Palestine and call for a halt to relations with the State of Israel until a cease-fire. Letter from the world of soccer

4th March 2024

In just 5 months, Israel has carried out the systematic slaughter of over 30 thousand Palestinians in Gaza, of which at least 12 thousand were underage; this is without even considering the more than 70 thousand people who were injured, 9 thousand of whom were children. The situation doesn’t get any better when we take into account the humanitarian crisis that is currently taking place following the Israeli siege and invasion of Palestinian land. According to the UN, over 96% of Gaza’s water supply has been deemed “unfit for human consumption”, this puts the health and hygiene situation at a breaking point. Almost 1.9 million of the 2.4 million residents of Gaza have been displaced, and nearly a million of them are children. Most people have sought shelter in Rafah, which has been subjected to Israel’s bombings for the past few days, these bombings set the tone for a further drastic deterioration of the situation, an escalation of violence and brutality that must be recognized for what it is: genocide. Being broadcasted live to the entire world as we speak.

In light of the unspeakable horrors that are ensuing in Gaza, which we bear witness to daily through mainstream and non-mainstream media;

In light of the bombings which largely target hospitals and medical staff (including internationally recognized NGOs), and have caused the massacre of over 340 doctors and nurses, the destruction of 30 hospitals and 123 ambulances, directly contravening Art. 18 of the Geneva Conventions, according to which “Civilian hospitals organized to give care to the wounded and sick, the infirm and maternity cases, may in no circumstances be the object of attack, but shall at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict.”;

In light of the bombings that have destroyed over 100 schools and universities, and further damaged 295 more, in what is a clear violation of Art. 4 of Protocols Additional to the Geneva Conventions (“Basic Rule”) of 1977, which ensures respect for and protection of the civilian population and civilian objects, obligating the Parties in conflict to distinguish at all times between the civilian population and combatants, and between civilian objects and military objectives.

In light of the over 120 journalists who have been murdered, despite art. 79 of the Geneva Conventions, which states that “Journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict shall be considered as civilians, and protected as such, provided that they take no action adversely affecting their status as civilians.”, and the violation of which constitutes a war crime.

In light of the over 116 members of UNRWA personnel killed by Israeli bombings, in what is the highest death toll ever recorded by a United Nations Agency during a war.

In light of the destruction of almost all the sports facilities present in Gaza, of the stadiums and of the structures belonging to the Palestinian Football Association, as declared by the president of the Federations, Jibril Rajoub: “The Israeli occupation has targeted sports facilities and the locations of the associations. The Yarmouk stadium has been turned into a detention center. This is an egregious violation of the Olympic Charter.”;

In light of the over 71 Palestinian football players, and the dozens of coaches and Palestinian executives who have been murdered by the IDF, as well as the various positions taken by Italian football fans in favor of peace, against the bombings that are unfolding on the Gaza Strip, that serve as a testament to a widespread disagreement within our football league system, condemning Israel's actions;

We believe that football isn’t meant to be perceived as a daydream that’s completely detached from reality, but instead, it should help contribute to building a sense of humanity, solidarity, and peace;

We believe that we should strive to achieve an immediate ceasefire in every aspect of our lives. A ceasefire will serve as a strong precursor to help achieve a just and lasting peace that will allow the Palestinian population to exist and live free of the burden of occupation and colonialism;

We’re asking FIGC (Italian Football Federation) to comply with the request submitted by the 12 West Asian Football Federations, who have invited FIFA, the football confederations, and the affiliated associations (including FIGC) to unite in taking a definite stand against the atrocities that are currently being perpetuated in Palestine, and the war crimes that are befalling Gaza, condemning the slaughter of innocent civilians, among which are players, coaches, referees, and officials, Condemning the destruction of sports facilities and demanding the adoption of a united front to isolate the Israeli Football Association from all football-related activities, until these acts of hostility cease.

In asking this, we remind that commensurate with the war between Russia and Ukraine, FIFA and UEFA have implemented this same measure against the Russian national team and clubs, forbidding them from participating in international competitions.

Failing to do so, in a situation that according to the International Court of Justice itself - the highest judicial body of the UN - could constitute a true genocide, it would mean turning a blind eye, refusing to recognize those same values that sporting institutions profess they want to abide by and promote. It would make the FIGC an accomplice of Israel and its systematic genocide of the Palestinian people.

Italian football must not ignore this gross miscarriage of justice and must own up to its responsibilities, which it will be faced in next autumn’s Nations League, when our National team on September 9th will have to travel to Israel, to then host Tel Aviv selection the following October 14th and when Fiorentina will host Maccabi Haifa for the Conference League Round of 16, the following March 14th.