The Federation of Arab Journalists' call for suspending Israel's membership of the FIFA was based on the world football body's similar action with South Africa in 1963 over apartheid, its secretary general, Hatem Zakaria, said on Saturday.

"Israel is committing apartheid against the Palestinians now," Zakaria said.

He added that he addressed a letter to FIFA President Sepp Blatter to freeze Israel's membership, noting that Israel has restricted access of sports equipment to the occupied Palestinian territories.