Jewish body demands Socceroos boycott Palestine match

The Australian Jewish Association has called on the FFA to boycott the Socceroos' Asian Cup group match against Palestine.

The Australian Jewish Association wants the Socceroos to boycott their match against Palestine.

The Australian Jewish Association wants the Socceroos to boycott their match against Palestine. Source: AAP

The Australian Jewish Association has demanded the Socceroos boycott their second Asian Cup group match against Palestine on Friday.

Australia will take on Palestine in a crucial Group B clash in Dubai, needing to bounce back from their opening game loss to Jordan.

The AJA however believes Palestine is not a country recognised by the international community and that soccer has been "blatantly politicised" by the Asian Football Confederation admitting the Arab state as a member.

The Australian Jewish Association wants the Socceroos to boycott their match against Palestine.
The Australian Jewish Association wants the Socceroos to boycott their match against Palestine. Source: AAP

Palestine was admitted to FIFA in 1998 and qualified for their first Asian Cup in 2015 in Australia.

On Sunday Palestine picked up their first point in a major tournament when they held Syria to a 0-0 draw in Sharjah.

The Palestine football team often encounters difficulties due to the political tension between it and Israel.

Many of its players are drawn from the Palestinian diaspora due to travel restrictions within Israel and the AFC has had to cancel fixtures in the past involving the team due to visa issues.

Despite having diplomatic relations, Australia is one of several countries globally which do not recognise Palestinian statehood.

Tom Rogic
Tom Rogic in action for the Socceroos against Jordan at the 2019 Asian Cup Source: Getty Images

The AJA said Australia playing Palestine "legitimises the politicisation of the tournament" and has called on the FFA to not take part in Friday's match.

"The FFA board should not allow the Socceroos to play Palestine," AJA president David Adler said in a statement released on Tuesday.

"If compelled to do so, then at the very least it must do so under protest."

AAP has sought comment from the FFA.


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