Our national broadcaster must stand up and lead the way by not broadcasting fixtures against Israel which are due to take place this year, according to Social Democrats sports spokesperson Sinéad Gibney.
Deputy Gibney said:
“I’ve written to RTÉ to ask that the planned Irish National Men’s Team fixtures in the Nations League versus Israel are not broadcast if the matches are to proceed.
“Last year, RTÉ took a laudable stance in response to Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest by opting to not broadcast or participate in the 2026 competition.
“I’ve asked that RTÉ now makes the same commitment in this case – it is unconscionable to support the sportswashing endeavours of a country whose regime is committing genocide and ethnic cleansing against Palestinians by broadcasting and legitimizing their sporting pursuits.
“The games should categorically not be played, as a reflection of the deep revulsion of the Irish people at the ongoing genocide in Gaza. But, if they are to go ahead, it’s vital that our national broadcaster refuses to platform any extension of Netanyahu’s terror state, sending a clear message in defence of human rights and international law.
“There is nothing political about human rights and international law violations – boycotting interacting with a country which is actively murdering innocents and stealing their land is a moral choice, not a political one.
“As we saw with Poland and Sweden’s boycott of fixtures with Russia after it began its illegal invasion of Ukraine, standing up and leading on this issue is the only way to let UEFA know that there is no place for Israel in international football while it continues its destruction of Palestine.
“Any penalty imposed by UEFA on the FAI should be compensated by the government – this is a small price to pay to show solidarity with Palestine and place ourselves on the right side of history.”
February 26th, 2026