Palestinian sports chief Jibril Rajoub called for urgent Arab action Tuesday at the 49th session of the Council of Arab Youth and Sports Ministers, detailing the "direct targeting" of Palestinian athletes and infrastructure amid ongoing conflict.
Rajoub, head of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, told the council that Palestinian sports remain under siege, noting the loss of hundreds of athletes—including "sports icons"—who have been killed, wounded, or detained. He highlighted the near-total destruction of sports facilities in the Gaza Strip and systematic targeting in the West Bank.
"Palestinian sports will remain a means of struggle and a platform to amplify the voice of our people," Rajoub said, urging Arab nations to translate diplomatic resolutions into tangible support.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit opened the session by praising the resilience of Palestinian youth under Israeli occupation. He described the current global climate as a "critical moment" defined by geopolitical tension and the weakening of international law.
Aboul Gheit emphasized that youth and sports ministries hold a "strategic responsibility" linked to national security and the protection of collective consciousness. The session, attended by representatives from across the region, continues to discuss the 2026 Arab sports agenda with a heavy focus on the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territories.
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