Cape Town - Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has joined calls for the Union of European Football Associations (Uefa) to move the Under-21 European championship from Israel because of the Jewish state’s treatment of Palestinian sport.
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies said Tutu’s call was a missed opportunity for engagement and agreement. Tutu’s letter, to Britain’s Guardian newspaper, was also signed by ex-Mali striker Frederic Kanoute and a number of prominent sympathisers of the Palestinian cause.
The championship is due to begin on June 5. Tutu’s letter read: “On Friday, delegates from European football associations gathered in a London hotel for Uefa’s annual congress. They agreed new, strict guidelines to deal with racism, suggesting a commendable determination to combat discrimination in the sport.
“We find it shocking that this same organisation shows total insensitivity to the blatant and entrenched discrimination inflicted on Palestinian sportsmen and women by Israel.
“We call on Uefa, even at this late stage, to reverse the choice of Israel as a venue.”
Mary Kluk, chairwoman of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, said it was unfortunate that Tutu, whom she deeply admired, had taken this view.
“We firmly believe in a two-state solution. One doesn’t achieve that by boycotting and disengagement. It is a missed opportunity to find common ground not to have sport where there is conflict.”
Kluk said there should be engagement before the solution which they prayed and hoped for could be achieved.
Last week, Uefa general secretary Gianni Infantino, speaking after the Uefa Congress in London, refused to condemn Israel or accept that the competition, which runs from June 5 to 18, should be moved.
Infantino told a news conference: “Uefa and the Israeli FA is responsible for football, it cannot be held responsible for the politics of a national government.
“And we have no plans to move the tournament, which is being held legitimately in a Uefa member association.”
After last week’s congress, pro-Palestine demonstrators broke into a banquet being held for Uefa delegates, interrupting proceedings, but were removed by security officers.
Palestinians complain that Israeli authorities restrict the movement of their athletes between the Gaza Strip, and the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israel says it has eased travel for athletes.
Uefa last week agreed there should be tougher sanctions to combat racism among players and officials, and the authors of the letter felt the same standards should be applied to Israel.
Cape Times