Ireland Defeats Israel in Gaza Protest Match

Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 in a Nations League clash marked by sombre scenes and visible protests over the Gaza war.

The match was played on Sunday at a near-empty stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, where Ireland wore black armbands.

The Irish players also bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem, while both teams skipped the traditional pre-match handshake and pennant exchange.

Troy Parrott opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Jack Moylan added Ireland’s third goal 25 minutes in. Parrott celebrated his goal by making a heart sign with his hands, while Moylan kissed the Irish badge and his black armband after scoring.

The players’ actions drew a strong response from Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who accused Ireland of being “on the wrong side of history”.

In a lengthy post on X, Saar also referred to Ireland’s actions during the Second World War and the Irish team’s Nazi salute before a 1939 match against Germany. He further mentioned Ireland’s wartime neutrality and former prime minister Eamon de Valera’s condolences to a German representative in Dublin following Adolf Hitler’s death.

“Almost 90 years have passed. Ireland’s unique talent for finding itself on the wrong side of history remains intact,” Saar wrote.

The match had been uncertain earlier in the week after pressure grew in Ireland for the team to boycott the fixture because of the Gaza conflict.

However, Ireland’s players voted overwhelmingly to play, while goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu was the only player to withdraw. Bazunu said it would be wrong for him to participate in either the Sunday match or the return fixture against Israel in Serbia on October 4 because of the “killing of innocent people”.

The Irish federation also did not reserve tickets for supporters, while public broadcaster RTÉ planned to show the match without commentary. The decision drew criticism from some spectators, including 31-year-old software development teacher Mol Michael, who attended the game wearing an Israeli scarf.

“Sports, soccer, basketball, everything is for the public, the people, and not for politics.”

“Once you decide, because of politics, to cancel the Irish audience, this is a really stupid move from Ireland, in my opinion,” Michael told AFP.

Ireland has long supported the Palestinian cause, with public sympathy often linked to the country’s own history of British rule.

Dublin formally recognised a Palestinian state in 2024 alongside Spain and Norway and has repeatedly criticised Israel’s conduct during the Gaza conflict.

Israel has strongly rejected allegations that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide.