Irish Footballers Decline Handshakes, Bow Heads During Israeli Anthem Amid Gaza Conflict

Ireland's national football team players declined to shake hands with their Israeli opponents and bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem ahead of a controversial Nations League match. The fixture has been enveloped in controversy due to Israel's military operations in Gaza.

Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew from the squad, stating, "My decision is based purely upon my belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong." He clarified that his stance is not against the Israeli people or the Jewish community but "against the atrocities in the region."

Despite the pressure to boycott, the Irish players voted to proceed with the match. They also agreed to wear black armbands to acknowledge the lives lost in the conflict. A standard pre-match gesture of exchanging pennants with Israel was also foregone.

The customary pre-match handshake did not occur, and as the Israeli anthem played, the Irish players looked down. Manager Heimir Hallgrimsson had previously expressed discomfort with playing the games, stating his team was "playing against genocide."

A training session on Saturday was delayed by five hours as players deliberated their decision. Ultimately, a "significant majority" voted to play, according to FAI chief executive David Courell. Irish broadcaster RTE scaled back its coverage of the game, opting for commentary from an international feed without studio punditry or advertising. Several pubs in Ireland reportedly refused to show the match, and protests took place outside the team's hotel in Dublin earlier in the week.

Ireland is scheduled to play Israel again on Sunday, with that match to be held behind closed doors at a neutral venue in Serbia.