Sir, – Surely it is beyond question that the Irish soccer team should not play Israel in the upcoming Nations League competition. The genocide in Gaza, the illegal occupation of the West Bank and the annexation of East Jerusalem unquestionably take the Israeli state far beyond the threshold where it is acceptable that their national team, in any sport, be permitted to participate in any international tournament.
In the first instance, the Israeli team should not have been allowed to enter the competition. Given that Uefa were unwilling to suspend Israel, the only acceptable response from the FAI would have been the withdrawal of the Irish soccer from the tournament.
However, as the FAI have decided that Ireland will play against Israel, I hope that all Irish soccer supporters will boycott the fixtures and that Irish citizens will take the opportunity to mount the strongest possible protests. – Yours, etc,
CON LYNCH,
READ MORE
Schull,
West Cork.
Sir, – Should the FAI decide that they have little or no choice but to go ahead with the home game against Israel, fans should turn up for the game in big numbers to support the Boys in Green.
When it comes to the 70th minute, there should be a minute of silence when every Irish fan in the Aviva Stadium waves a Palestinian flag in memory of the 70,000 Palestinians who were killed in Gaza, not least the 20,000 or more children who perished at the hands of the Israeli Defense Forces. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL CULLEN,
Sandycove,
Co Dublin.
