The appeal comes as European soccer’s governing body, UEFA, prepares for an emergency vote next week on whether to suspend Israel from its tournaments. National federations have faced mounting political pressure after calls for action.
“Despite positioning themselves as defenders of civic values and peace, the sporting world and football institutions have remained silent for far too long,” Haciosmanoglu wrote in the letter, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency.
“Guided by these values, we feel compelled to raise our deep concern regarding the unlawful (and more importantly, completely inhumane and unacceptable) situation being carried out by the State of Israel in Gaza and its surrounding areas.”
A United Nations Commission of Inquiry issued a report this week accusing Israel of committing genocide during the war in Gaza and calling for its suspension from international soccer. Israel has denied the allegation and called the report scandalous.
“The situation had long been desperate, but in recent days it has reached a new level of urgency following the interventions of various institutions,” Haciosmanoglu added.
“We don’t have any indications that we are facing such an act (UEFA suspension),” a spokesperson for the Israel Football Association told Reuters on Thursday, adding that the national team is focused on its upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Israel competes under the UEFA umbrella, having been removed from the Asian Football Confederation in 1974 after several countries refused to play against it.
In 1991 UEFA permitted Israel’s national team to take part in European competitions. A year later Israeli clubs began playing in UEFA tournaments. By 1994 Israel was granted full membership, moving beyond its earlier associate status.