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Israel Sidelines Palestinian Soccer Players

The head of the Palestinian Football Federation, Jibril Rajoub, feels betrayed by Israel's refusal to grant permission to players from Iraq, Jordan and the UAE to enter the Palestinian Authority.
Barcelona President Sandro Rosell (R) and Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub shake hands after addressing members of the media at the start of a visit by the soccer team at the Palestinian President's office in the West Bank town of Bethlehem August 3, 2013. Barcelona is on a two-day "Peace Tour" in the region, which will include conducting soccer clinics for young people.
 REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman  (WEST BANK - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) - RTX129MC
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Palestinian official Jibril Rajoub is a very familiar figure among Israelis. He is interviewed frequently by the Israeli media because journalists have almost direct access to him. They know him, and he knows most of them. He was even a member of the “Partners for Peace” group, organized by supporters of the Geneva Initiative, which calls for a two-state solution, and he is something of a darling among peace organizations in Israel, which frequently invite him to meetings and conferences on topics such as coexistence and peace.

This being said, Rajoub is known as someone who trusted the Israelis and cooperated with them throughout the second intifada. Sadly, his Israeli “friends” refused to pay him back in kind.

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