Ireland’s football snub of Israel was more than a political protest - opinion

The author describes the Republic of Ireland football team's treatment of Israel in Debrecen as a calculated collective humiliation, citing bowed heads during Hatikvah, refusal to shake hands, and black armbands. The piece argues the protest crossed from political criticism into antisemitic exclusion, noting that Arab Israelis play on the Israeli team. The author contrasts Ireland's own history with the IRA to challenge the moral authority of the protest.

The author describes watching the Republic of Ireland football team's treatment of Israel in Debrecen with fury. The Irish players bowed their heads during Hatikvah, refused to shake Israeli hands, failed to exchange pennants, and wore black armbands. The author argues this was a calculated collective humiliation, not spontaneous protest. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and players will insist their actions concerned Gaza, but the author contends that singling out Israelis alone for such treatment crosses from political criticism into antisemitic exclusion. The piece notes that Arab Israeli player Anan Khalaili was in the starting lineup, challenging the protest's framing. The author contrasts Ireland's own history with the IRA, including the 1996 Manchester bombing and the 1984 Brighton hotel bombing, to argue that Ireland should understand the moral necessity of distinguishing a population from an armed organization. The author questions why Irish outrage is thunderous when Israel fights back but qualified when Jews are slaughtered, and concludes that refusing a handshake does nothing for a Palestinian child.

Ireland’s football snub of Israel was more than a political protest - opinion