Ireland vs Israel - To play or not to play, that is the question Read OP for Mod Warning

Beefcake82 · 24-02-2026 08:23PM

As someone who does not like football, i think the game(s) should be played.

At the end of the day, not everyone in Palestine is guilty of Hamas' actions, nor is every Israeli guilty of their governments actions and it seems those who claim collective punishment is wrong are imposing the same on a sports team.

Tell me how · 24-02-2026 08:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262851#Comment_124262851

The sports team is a quasi-representative of the nation state.

It's some stretch to equate refusing to play a game against them with what the Palestinians have suffered.

Benedict XVI · 24-02-2026 08:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262857#Comment_124262857

What an odd thing to suggest

Who would think Russia is a democracy, let alone a bastion of democracy ?

They don't have fair and transparent elections in Russia.

They do in Israel, but people like you don't seem to like the outcome of them.

dmcdona · 24-02-2026 08:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262798#Comment_124262798

England certainly did - prevented travel abroad of the mindless football thugs, even took their passports off them.

Given Israel's operations in the wider world, including using Irish Passports whilst committing crimes, I wouldn't put anything past them. I'm not saying they do that with private citizens - but if they did, I wouldn't be surprised.

But lauding over their soccer thugs on returning back to Israel is tantamount to turning a blind eye on their international exploits. Are you aware of the standard chants those Israeli fans roar out at the games?

Beefcake82 · 24-02-2026 08:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262868#Comment_124262868

So are Russian, Iranian, Saudi, North Korean, Chinese + other countries, sports participants while their governments commit, empower or endorse various war and humane crimes against innocent peoples. Yet many of those countries sports participants are still able to play and represent their countries, it comes across as a double standard.

dmcdona · 24-02-2026 08:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262824#Comment_124262824

UEFA banned Russia from football - not CAS.

CAS (a court of arbitration) dismissed the Russian appeal against the ban.

FIFA and UEFA should do the same as regards Israel, and if they appeal to CAS, let CAS decide.

But therin lies the problem - no appetite from FIFA to enforce its own rules, as requested by the FAI.

Enduro · 24-02-2026 08:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262881#Comment_124262881

That is not quite what I was asking for (taking actions against their own football fans for crimes committed by the fans whilst outside their jurisdiction), as your example is constraining their citizens within their own jurisdiction, not taking actions against the fans for events outside their own jurisdiction. I'd be happy to see any and all governments take similar actions against their own citizens to try to constrain football hooliganism, including the Israeli government.

OK, so do we agree that if the Israeli government ordered this behaviour, then they would be responsible for it, but if they didn't, then the responsibility lies with the individuals. Like everywhere else, as it happens. You don't seem to have any evidence to show that the government ordered that behaviour, and I have seen no evidence of it anywhere either. You think it's possible. I would agree it's possible, though completely unlikely IMO. But right now there is nothing to show that this is the case.

I wouldn't have to leave the small town in Ireland where I grew up to find soccer fans chanting appalling things. It's not exactly a unique thing to MA, or Israel.

dmcdona · 24-02-2026 09:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262921#Comment_124262921

Sure - "Gas the Arabs" - perfectly normal chanting at a soccer game…

Seems you're very comfortable giving Israeli soccer thugs a free pass if they do the dirt abroad and absolving Israel from all responsibility. And Israel gives them a free pass to chant their bile at home. By not taking action, Israel is tacitly supporting it. Just like they tacitly support the IDF by telling them "not to get caught" abroad with their vile videos and pictures on their phones.

But that's what the Hasbara is all about and there are many who have swallowed it - hook, line and sinker.

Enduro · 24-02-2026 09:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262936#Comment_124262936

And hissing (representing the gas chambers) at Spurs fans isn't exactly unknown either. We can "boths sides" away at this, or just accept that crap behaviour from football fans is very widespread indeed, and not at all unique to Israel, as you seem to be trying to imply.

It's all appalling. None of it is unique to Israelis, and I'm happy to abhor it ALL.

I'm happy that Israeli soccer thugs should be treated with the same lack of tolerance that all soccer thugs should be. I'm also happy to say yes, absolutely, the Israeli government is no more responsible for the poor behaviour of its citizens abroad than any other country's government is responsible for the poor behaviour of their citizens abroad. That's not some vast pro-Israeli plot or propaganda campaign. That's just the way the world works.

RoyalCelt · 24-02-2026 09:55PM

Play them

Boo them

Beat them

Move on.

Refusing to play awards Israel valuable qualification points and penalises us. An OG.

Rocket_GD · 24-02-2026 10:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262836#Comment_124262836

Maybe reread the thread title.

It seems you’re unable to not include whataboutery in every post when Israel are criticised.

You even put an antisemitism connotation jibe a few posts ago.

Happy to discuss the genocide on the appropriate thread, but I don’t think that you grace that thread for some reason.

I have said Iran should be excluded from the World Cup (in answer to your question) as Russia should continued to be excluded.

Do you think that Israel should be excluded?

Tell me how · 24-02-2026 10:17PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262902#Comment_124262902

Russia are already banned.

With respect to the rest, I've already detailed why Palestine is a particularly of relevance both for Ireland and at this point in time. And for that reason I kinda see it as a deflection tactic to say there's a double standard here.

There's a number of reasons or ways in which consideration of a boycott is justified.

Necro · 25-02-2026 12:16AM

Mod: We're not going to keep doing this. If you want to discuss the wider Israel Palestine issues then use the appropriate thread. I've deleted almost 30 posts that have nothing to do with this specific thread topic. It will be closed unless posters can't stay on topic as it essentially has become a duplicate of the long running thread.

Cyclingtourist · 25-02-2026 10:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262868#Comment_124262868

So you're saying the Israel football team is 'almost but not completely representative' of the Israeli state?

Applying that to the Rep. of Ireland soccer team, which has in the past had a lot of English players, is ridiculous and then we have the Irish rugby team which has players from outside the state, boxing teams, similar etc.

JohnDoe2025 · 25-02-2026 12:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124262868#Comment_124262868

Interesting that you say this.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category%3AArab-Israeli_footballers

There are a large number of non-Jewish players who have played and do play for the Israeli national team, representing (using your words) the diverse nature of Israeli society.

Strangely, I haven't found any record of a non-Muslim player for the Palestine national team since it was recognised in 1998.

Those quasi-representative statistics are illuminating.

Tell me how · 25-02-2026 07:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124263790#Comment_124263790

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124263981#Comment_124263981

Both of you are reading my posting that I was saying that the team is representative of the Israeli population. I didn't say that.

I was saying that it is (same as all international teams) seen as representing their respective country. They are not selected or appointed by the country or government, but they wear the national colours and the national flag is flown and anthems are sang before teams play etc.

And it was a valid response to someone who was trying to separate the actions of a countries people and government with that of it's national teams. Several teams have been banned from international events at various times because of the actions of their government, Israel should not be treated differently in this respect.

I don't see the need to respond to the content of either of your posts since it is irrelevant in the context of the point being made.

Cyclingtourist · 25-02-2026 08:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124265209#Comment_124265209

Both of you are reading my posting that I was saying that the team is representative of the Israeli population. I didn't say that.

Not me, didn’t mention the Israeli population. You said

"The sports team is a quasi-representative of the nation state."

And that's what I answered.

Have you decided to change?

Tell me how · 25-02-2026 08:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124265290#Comment_124265290

I've explained the context of the point I was making. Take it or leave it.

I'm not interested in the angle of discussion you seem to want to have.

Cyclingtourist · 25-02-2026 08:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124265298#Comment_124265298

It was your 'angle' but now you're changing it.

Tell me how · 25-02-2026 08:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124265323#Comment_124265323

It wasn't my angle, you misterpreted a straightforward post.

You trying to focus on your misinterpretation is telling again. Keep going.

Strazdas · 25-02-2026 09:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124263981#Comment_124263981

Arab-Israeli players are frequently subjected to racist chanting by the 'home' fans - has happened repeatedly

https://www.irishtimes.com/world/middle-east/2023/06/20/matches-of-israel-national-team-may-be-moved-due-to-racist-abuse-of-arab-players/

Backstreet Moyes · 26-02-2026 09:44AM

Game goes ahead as planned in Dublin.

Nice to see common sense win the day.

JohnDoe2025 · 26-02-2026 11:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124265449#Comment_124265449

That is no rebuttal to the FACT that there are no Jewish Palestinian players.

There is racist chanting across Europe too, even the UK, sadly it is too common.

JohnDoe2025 · 26-02-2026 11:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124265209#Comment_124265209

It isn't really. The Israeli team is a multi-cultural representation of a multi-cultural society.

That contrasts very significantly with most other countries in the region.

KrustyUCC · 26-02-2026 01:40PM

Social Democrats trying to get RTE not to broadcast the match

RTÉ should not broadcast Israel fixtures if they are to go ahead

RTÉ should not broadcast Israel fixtures if they are to go ahead - Social Democrats

Tell me how · 26-02-2026 01:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124266106#Comment_124266106

The statement yesterday was no different than the announcement from the FAI when the fixture was drawn really was it?

I do expect the game to go ahead, and hopefully it does without actual trouble. But talking about it not being played is going to be a valid discussion for the next 6 months I expect.

But it's still interesting none the less to see facilitating the team of an active genocidal state as "common sense".