In first, Palestinian-Israeli soccer cooperation

In a historic decision, the Palestine Football Association granted two soccer players international transfer certificates (ITCs), allowing them to leave the Palestinian league and play in Israel.

Until recently, the Palestinian association refused to cooperate with the Israel Football Association, hampering attempts by Palestinian players to transfer between the two leagues.

The Palestinian soccer group issued Mohammad Zuabi and Mohammad Fudi transfer certificates Monday, freeing them to “pursue sports activities and register with another national association affiliated to FIFA.”

The decision is likely related to previous complaints Israeli officials lodged with FIFA over the Palestinian refusal to cooperate, as stipulated under FIFA rules.

Mohammad Zuabi will be allowed to move from his Palestinian team of Shabab Yatta to the northern Israeli club of Sandala Gilboa, part of the fourth tier of the Israeli soccer league system. Mohammad Fudi will leave his Hebron team in favor of the Beitar Tel Aviv-Ramla club, playing in the second tier of the Israeli system.

On Tuesday, a Palestinian player was allowed to return to the Israeli league only a month after being barred for 99 years from all soccer-related activity in Israel, Israeli news site Ynet reported. Attef Abi Bilal was penalized for playing simultaneously in both the Israeli and Palestinian leagues, drawing widespread international media attention.