Palestinian team – and cause – shines at Asia Cup

Unity in the crowd

On the pitch, the Palestinian team went into the tournament having scored just one goal in the preceding six games. They lost their opening match with Iran 4-1 before drawing 1-1 with the United Arab Emirates. Then came a clash with Hong Kong, and the Palestinians won 3-0.

It was enough to get them past the first round for the first time in the Palestinian team's history. But a 2-1 loss against the hosts confirmed their departure from the cup at the next stage.

Against Iran, there were striking scenes in the crowd, where thousands waved the Palestinian flag and sang the national anthem. Fans from both sides were united in their opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza.

In a particularly moving moment, an Iranian player refrained from celebrating a goal in a gesture of respect for the lives lost in Gaza. Before the game, a minute of silence was observed, as announced by the Asian Football Confederation, to honour "those who tragically lost their lives in Palestine."

This direct acknowledgement stood out in contrast to the more cautious language often used by other football authorities worldwide over the war since 7 October.

Beyond symbolism – and rejection of Israel

Palestine's participation was more than a symbolic nod to a nation in distress. It represented a deliberate effort to strengthen its standing in the world of sports, shaped by opposition to Israel's aggression in Gaza.

Israel participated in the first Asian Cup in 1956 and even won the 1964 tournament in Tel Aviv. However, the landscape of the tournament changed rapidly as Arab nations withdrew from competitions involving Israel.

The boycott led to Israel nearly qualifying for the 1958 World Cup by default, as several teams refused to play against them. The International Football Association intervened, and Israel played and lost a qualifying match against Wales.

In the 1970s, an Arab-led movement supported by some Asian countries sought to exclude Israel from the Asian Football Confederation's competitions. This was a direct response to Israel's perceived effort to join the Asian football region despite its geographical position.

Last year, Indonesia decided against hosting the FIFA Under-20 World Cup due to Israel's participation, which came about through European qualification after Israel took that up in the 1990s.

Beforehand, Israel had spent years without a continental football federation after its isolation from Asian football nations. It has not yet qualified for the European Cup.

In contrast, Palestine established a strong presence in Asian football. It has consistently participated in the Asian Cup since 2015, although the Palestinian Football Association only gained international recognition in the late 1990s.

The Palestinian team aimed for more than just symbolic achievements. They wanted to make a significant mark on the tournament, doing better than their previous appearances in the Asian Cup.

The progress into the second round did that.

Sport under occupation

Palestinian football has significant challenges under occupation. The local championship, where most players in the national team compete, is often disrupted by Israeli forces.

They impede player movement between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, citing "security considerations," and sometimes deny permissions for players to join national team training camps.

Despite the absence of Gaza club players due to damaged sports facilities, the team includes members from the Gaza Strip, making their participation especially meaningful.

Communicating their success to families back home is a formidable challenge for these players, overshadowing the rigours of the tournament itself.

The national team's journey is a microcosm of the broader struggles in Gaza. The death of Hani Al-Masri tragically underscored this; the Olympic team coach and former player was killed in an Israeli air strike just before the tournament began.

But the players' success in the Asian Cup starkly contrasts the severe crisis their people faced. Their progress in the tournament was a remarkable feat. Yet, it was overshadowed by the ongoing conflict that has resulted in massive loss of life and displacement, the largest since 1948, according to the United Nations.

This situation casts a sombre backdrop to the team's achievements, urging the global community to reflect on the deeper narrative at play.

In Gaza – where 2mn citizens are on the verge of famine – the resilience of the Palestinian people shone through as they rallied behind their team.

The unwavering support stood in defiance of adversity, including the Israeli army's conversion of the historic Yarmouk Stadium into a detention centre, as reported by the Palestinian Football Association.

The global Palestinian diaspora – from the West Bank refugee camps to the "Palestino" football club founded a century ago by Palestinian immigrants in Chile – also plays a vital role in the team's success.

These athletes, many contributing to the national side, represent a human face in the face of challenges, countering attempts by some Israeli factions to marginalise their struggles.

This year's Asian Cup serves as a reminder of the powerful role sports can play in highlighting perseverance in adversity.

It brings to mind the 2007 tournament, where Iraq triumphed despite the turmoil of the American invasion. This parallel also raises questions about FIFA's inconsistent responses to geopolitical issues, as seen in their differing approaches to the United States team after that invasion and the recent sanctions against Russia after its military attacked Ukraine.