Ireland beat Israel but no handshakes due to war in Gaza

Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 in a Nations League match on Sunday, despite an atmosphere of somberness and solemnity due to the ongoing war in Gaza. The Irish players wore black armbands and bowed their heads during the Israeli anthem, skipping the customary pre-game handshakes and post-match exchanges of pennants. Troy Parrott opened the scoring in the 14th minute, with Jack Moylan scoring the third goal in the 25th minute.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized Ireland for being "on the wrong side of history" due to the players' actions, referencing historical events such as the Irish team's salute to the Nazi during a 1939 match against Germany and the country's neutrality during World War II. Saar also noted Ireland's condolences to the German representative following Hitler's death.

The game, which Israel had initially been set to host, faced uncertainty earlier in the week until the Irish players unanimously decided to proceed with the fixture, despite pressure to boycott. One player, goalkeeper Gavin Buzunu, opted out, stating it would be wrong to participate in either match due to concerns over the killing of innocent people.

The Irish federation did not reserve any tickets for spectators, and RTE had planned to broadcast the match without commentary. Mol Michael, a 31-year-old software development teacher who donned an Israeli scarf, expressed his views on the sporting events' politicization. Ireland has historically been a supporter of the Palestinian cause, but the country's stance on the Gaza conflict remains controversial. Israel maintains that its actions in Gaza do not constitute genocide.