Ireland beat Israel but no handshakes due to war in Gaza

Ireland secured a 3-0 victory over Israel in a Nations League match held in Debrecen, Hungary on Sunday, amid a somber atmosphere marked by the players wearing black armbands in solidarity with Gaza. The Irish team refrained from the customary pre-match handshakes and exchanged no pennants, while bowing their heads during the Israeli national anthem.

Troy Parrott opened the scoring on 14 minutes, and Jack Moylan added a third goal in the 25th minute. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned Ireland's actions, accusing the team of being "on the wrong side of history" due to the players' black armbands and refusal to shake hands. Saar also referenced historical events involving the Irish, including the 1939 team's Nazi salute and Ireland's neutrality during World War II.

Despite pressure to boycott, the Irish team voted to participate, with only goalkeeper Gavin Buzunu withdrawing due to concerns over the violence in Gaza. The Irish federation did not reserve any tickets for spectators, and the game was broadcast by public broadcaster RTE without commentary. Mol Michael, a 31-year-old software development teacher, criticized the decision, stating that sports should remain separate from politics.

Ireland has a long history of supporting the Palestinian cause, having recognized a Palestinian state in 2024 and repeatedly criticizing Israel for its actions in Gaza. Israel denies accusations of genocide in Gaza. The incident also led to the recall of the Spanish ambassador to Israel over an antisemitism incident.