Islam Times - Palestinian football team hosts World Cup qualifier at home

Islam Times - The national Palestinian football team has for the first time played a World Cup qualifier at home.

The Tuesday game against the United Arab Emirates was a qualifier both for the 2018 World Cup and the 2019 Asian Cup.

About 14,000 spectators came to see the goalless draw at Faisal Husseini stadium in Al-Ram, near al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Palestinian Football Association chief Jibril Rajoub said hosting the UAE team proved that "Palestine exists and that Palestinians have the right to live in their own independent state."

Rajoub had at one point in the past sought to have Israel kicked out of the World Cup competition for imposing travel restrictions on Palestinian players.

"Despite the difficult conditions, despite the occupation and the pressure under which the Palestinian people live, it's a huge joy to see the national team get this far," Palestine supporter Hossam al-Khatib said.

Another Palestine supporter, Hanin Shatara from Ramallah, said that the Israeli regime forces made her leave her car at an Israeli checkpoint near al-Quds and walk all the way to the stadium on foot.

Passing through Israeli checkpoints on the way to the stadium is a major obstacle for teams and fans.

Some teams refuse to pass through the Israeli checkpoints, saying they do not recognize the legitimacy of the Israeli regime.