Palestinian Authority Basketball Federation applauds Jordan’s boycott of Israeli sports

For years, the Palestinian Authority has maintained a policy of supporting BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel), and rejecting normalized relations with Israel across economic, social, and cultural spheres.

This week, the Jordanian Basketball Federation refused to compete against Israel in the Under-19 World Championships, accepting a forfeit instead. The Palestinian Basketball Federation quickly voiced its support for the boycott, releasing a detailed statement lauding Jordan for refusing to face what it described as the "Occupation's team." This statement was published on the website of the Palestinian Olympic Committee, which also supports BDS:

"The Palestinian Basketball Federation expresses its deep gratitude and appreciation to the Jordanian Basketball Federation for its honorable stance, as it refused to play against the Occupation's team (i.e., Israel's national youth) in the Under-19 World Championship.

This decision reaffirms the commitment of our brothers in Jordan to their steadfast positions supporting the rights of our Palestinian people. It reflects the strong patriotic and human spirit in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, both in leadership and among the people.

[Palestinian Olympic Committee website, June 29, 2025]

All of Israel is the "Occupation"
The Palestinian Basketball Federation's statement did not refer to the boycott of Israel's team but of "the Occupation's team." The PA does not recognize Israel's right to exist within any borders and presents all of Israel as "occupied Palestine." Increasingly in recent years, the PA avoids the term "State of Israel" completely and refers to Israel as "The Occupation State," or just "The Occupation" as in this report.

Another example: Last week, PA TV made the false claim that American–Israelis were trying to leave Israel during the 12-day Iran War, and this is how PA TV defined Israel:

"The American community was the first to request to leave and exit from the occupied Palestine of '48."

[Official PA TV, June 25, 2025]

Jordan has "peace" with Israel
Jordan's signing a peace treaty with Israel in 1994 has not brought the normalization of relations that Israel had desired and anticipated. Jordan continues to support anti-Israel resolutions in international bodies and incites hatred.

International Sports Federations Regulations 
Participating in political boycotts violates the spirit and often the regulations of many international sports federations. However, in this case, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) chose not to take disciplinary measures against the Jordanian team.