“They are required to get re-entry permits to Israel,” said UK Visas spokesperson John Neill, “or another country can give them entry and exit permits.”

None of the Under 19 Palestinian team could satisfy the requirements of the British government that visas require entry and re-entry permits to Israel or another country – a requirement that is at the behest of a foreign government. The Israeli military did not even answer the properly constituted request. “They are required to get re-entry permits to Israel,” said UK Visas spokesperson John Neill, “or another country can give them entry and exit permits.” Even if Jordan, for example agreed to do give them such permits, they would still have to travel through Israel to get there, meaning that all Palestinian sporting fixtures still require the permission of the Israelis to facilitate them. “Palestinians who wish to leave Gaza through the North Ares exit use only one method, which is by getting approval [of the Israelis],” says tour sponsor Tayseer Barakat.