FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called for the ‘immediate end of hostilities’ between Israel and Palestine in a letter to Israeli Football Association.
According to Infantino, football can be a ‘vehicle for peace’ and ‘light of hope where there appears to be only darkness ahead’ as the fight worsens.
This came after almost a week since Hamas militants invaded Israel, leaving over 1,300 people dead and many people injured.
As reported by Sky News, Infantino called for peace in a letter to Shino Moshe Zuares
The letter read: “I would like to express, on behalf of FIFA and the entire international football community, our deepest condolences to the Israel Football Association and the Palestine Football Association, in light of the horrendous violence that has been occurring over the past days.
“It is as heart-breaking as it is shocking to see a region, whose people have known such profound suffering over far too long, suffer even more.
“The footballing world stands firmly in solidarity with the people of Israel and Palestine, and with all the innocent victims that have paid an unspeakable price.
“FIFA joins in calling for the immediate end of hostilities and for the immediate relief of the suffering of the people of both Israel and Palestine.
“Of course, we know that football cannot solve the problems of the World, but it can play even a small part in bringing a light of hope where there appears to be only darkness ahead.
“Football shows that it is possible to bring people together in an environment of mutual respect, acting as a vehicle for peace and, eventually, reconciliation, even when this may have seemed impossible to all but a few.
“I would like to stress that FIFA will do whatever we possibly can to assist you in your relief efforts and to restoring peace and hope to your people now and into the future.”
