Paris - In letters from Wiesenthal Centre Director for International Relations, Dr. Shimon Samuels, to FIFA President Giani Infanto,UEFA (United European Football Associations) President Alexander Cefaini and Executive Chairman of Match Hospitality Jaime Byrom, (of which Winterhill Hospitality is a small part).
“FIFA President welcomed fans from all over the world… to celebrate football, to live together the greatest show on earth and thebest World Cup ever.”
Last week, it was claimed, stated Samuels, that Winterhill is making ticket sales for “Occupied Palestine.” By the week’s end, itwas charged that “Israel had been replaced by ‘Palestine’.”
In truth, FIFA knew nothing. UEFA, in which Israel is a member, listed European offices or tickets. Israel is listed through a salesoffice in Valencia, Spain.
“Palestinian” fans are sold through Hong Kong.
So, who gains this roundabout?
A sleeper in one of the above sources is perhaps using Winterhill, Arab News of Doha story, or someone in the Qatari administration- or Palestinian?
“Palestinian football” is a glorification of terror. Every tournament, team and stadium are named after so-called martyrs “meaningmurderers of Jews”. Hardly an invitation to “the beautiful game”.
Someone in Qatar clearly aims to incite to hate.
“In any case, the defiling of the games of football at this World Cup may be a dangerous World Cup for Israelis,” concludedSamuels.
For further information contact Dr. Shimon Samuels at csweurope@gmail.com, join the Center on Facebook,or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center is one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations with over 400,000 member families in the United States. It is an NGO at international agenciesincluding the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the OAS, the Council of Europe and the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino).