Can There Be “Normal” Sport in an Abnormal World? Sport Boycott and Athlete Activism for Ceasefire in Gaza

This paper is an edited transcript of an online panel recorded on April 9, 2024, with commentaries provided at the start and the end. Speakers underscore the urgency for the sport industry and governing bodies to react to the genocidal violence in Gaza. Athletes for Ceasefire’s co-founder Omar Dreidi introduces the rationale behind this newly formed coalition. Ultimate Palestine’s Daniel Bannoura recounts the tension in promoting ultimate frisbee in Palestine amidst apartheid and genocide. Sport law scholar Katarina Pijetlovic highlights the discriminatory treatment of Palestine by international sport governing bodies. Irish Sport for Palestine’s Rebecca O’Keeffe and Michael D. Macauley discuss the long tradition of Irish solidarity with Palestinians’ anti-colonial struggles. Former professional soccer player Kaiya McCullough challenges athletes to deepen their understandings of the connections between Black and Palestinian liberation.