Protestors call on Ireland to boycott second Nations League match against Israel

On Thursday, Dublin saw protesters against Ireland playing its Nations League match against Israel due to the actions of Israel in Gaza. The "Stop the Game" initiative held a small gathering near the stadium with banners in support of player Gavin Bazunu, who had boycotted the match. A larger protest from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign was scheduled for later outside the stadium.

The Football Association of Ireland moved the game to a neutral venue in Backa Topola, Serbia on Sunday, following calls for a boycott in June and a previous November call for UEFA to ban Israel from competitions. The "Stop the Game" initiative asked the Irish government and FAI to cancel the game. Despite Bazunu's boycott, the FAI stated a majority of players, excluding him, voted in favor of playing.

Ireland had previously played Israel at home in Debrecen, Hungary, where players wore black armbands and won 3-0.