Registering deaths is one of Susan Shalabi’s tasks as vice-president of the Palestinian Football Association. The task has never been easy, but after 7 October, it has become everyday. After each night of massive airstrikes against the Palestinian population in Gaza, Shalabi spends the next day writing down the names of killed players, coaches and staff. 100 people So far she has written down 100 names. – The list is long and contains the names of so many children, says Shalabi to news. Sitting and looking over pictures and videos of murdered colleagues is a thankless and cruel job. Photo: PALESTINE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION The picture of the brothers Emad and Mohammed Hijazi, proudly wearing the national team kit at the football academy in Rafah; or the footballer Rahid Dabbour, who was to try out for the national team, and Shadi Sabah, who was already in the squad. All killed in airstrikes in Gaza. In a few weeks, more than 9,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, according to the Hamas-led health authorities. The UN uses the same death toll. World Cup The football dream is still alive in Palestine. The national team represents Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and the Palestinian diaspora. They have a status in the world of football, they have not yet achieved politically. Because although Palestine is not recognized as a full-fledged state, they have been a member of Fifa and the Asian Football Confederation since 1998. Palestinian spectators during the Palestinian Cup final between the Gaza Strip’s Shejaia and Hebron’s Al-Ahly at al-Yarmouk Stadium in Gaza City, 2015. Photo: SUHAIB SALEM / Reuters – The dream represents the Palestinians’ national identity, says Shalabi. The longing to be recognized as a free, sovereign country – just like the rest of the world’s nations. – It is a chance to see the world and be seen by the world in a different light and perspective. A Palestinian spectator during the Asian Championship in 2019. Photo: KHALED DESOUKI / AFP The team, which will soon try and qualify for its first World Cup, is in a unique crisis. Several of the national team players live in Gaza, and the association has not been able to get them out. The tragedy also affects the players who play for clubs abroad, away from their families and friends. Worried about teammates and his people back home in occupied Gaza and the West Bank. – You don’t want to be in their shoes, says Shalabi. – But we are a resilient people, and we will continue to persevere – as we have always done.
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Several members of the Palestinian Football Association have been killed – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
