We cannot allow a genocidal Israeli state to launder its reputation through sportswashing
The Social Democrats are bringing forward a Dáil motion demanding the government withdraw its support for the forthcoming Ireland-Israel soccer match, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad Gibney.
Deputy Gibney said:
“Not only is the Israeli state committing a genocide in Gaza and wholesale ethnic cleansing in the West Bank, its murderous campaign in Lebanon is intensifying. According to UNICEF, an average of 11 children a day are being killed or injured in Lebanon by the Israeli military.
“This type of barbarism from a State cannot be ignored. We cannot have business as usual as Netanyahu’s regime commit daily atrocities in Palestine and Lebanon.
“I welcome that enough signatories have now been collected to compel the FAI to have an EGM about its decision to play the forthcoming game with Israel. While the FAI has questions to answer, so too does our government.
“As it stands, the government position is that it supports the game going ahead but its ministers intend to boycott it. This is clearly nonsensical, and is evidence of the government attempting to sit on the fence when it comes to this hugely important issue.
“Repeatedly, all we get from the government, in relation to the Israeli state’s savagery is strong words, but no action. This game represents an opportunity for them to finally act and withdraw their support for this fixture.
“Sporting, as well as trade, boycotts are measures this country previously engaged in to punish another apartheid state, South Africa. A previous government also took a stand and prevented a Euro 2000 qualifying match between Ireland and Yugoslavia from taking place in 1999 because of ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. There is precedent for this.
“We cannot allow a genocidal Israeli state to launder its reputation through sportswashing. If UEFA is willing to do that, Ireland should not be complicit.
“I applaud all of the FAI members and soccer fans who are making their voices heard on this issue. We now need to see similar advocacy and action from the pollical system.
“For that reason, the Social Democrats will be bringing forward a Dáil motion on Wednesday, June 10, demanding that the government match its words with actions and withdraws its support for this game.”