Ireland Players Wear Black Armbands in Solidarity with Palestinians During Israel Match

Republic of Ireland players wore black armbands in solidarity with Palestinians killed in Israel’s war on Gaza and declined to shake hands with their Israeli counterparts before their UEFA Nations League match in Backa Topola, Serbia. Ireland goalkeeper and captain Caoimhin Kelleher avoided the customary handshake with Israel captain Dor Peretz during the pre-match ceremony, although he shook hands with the referee and one of his assistants.

The gesture followed a similar action by Ireland defender Dara O’Shea before the teams’ previous meeting in Debrecen, Hungary, when he declined to shake hands with Israel captain Manor Solomon. Ireland won that encounter 3-0 after scoring all three goals in the first half. In the return fixture, Troy Parrott gave Ireland the lead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute after Peretz fouled Jimmy Dunne, before Peretz equalised shortly after the interval.

The match ended 1-1 and was played behind closed doors at a neutral venue after the Football Association of Ireland moved the fixture from Dublin in June, citing “operational reasons.” The decision came amid calls for a boycott of the match in protest against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, with the actions of the Irish players adding a visible political dimension to the international fixture.