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16 clusters · 538 sources · 25 days · First seen · Last updated

Irish boycotts regarding Gaza humanitarian crisis

Overview

In Ireland, political and cultural figures are increasingly calling for boycotts of Israeli-related events due to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In the cultural sphere, the national broadcaster RTÉ has confirmed it will not participate in or broadcast the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Burgas, Bulgaria, following its absence from the 2026 event in Vienna. RTÉ stated that participation ‘cannot be justified given the appalling and continuous loss of life in Gaza’. This movement has gained international parallels, as a majority of the board of the Icelandic public broadcaster RÚV has expressed support for a similar boycott.

Simultaneously, political activists and figures, including TD Ruth Coppinger, have urged the Irish football team to boycott upcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel. This movement has gained momentum through the ‘Stop The Game Campaign’, organized by Irish Sport for Palestine. Tensions escalated during a UEFA Nations League fixture in Bačka Topola, Serbia, which was played behind closed doors due to ‘operational challenges’ and security guidance.

The match ended in a 1-1 draw, resulting in the elimination of both teams from the competition, with Ireland finishing third and Israel fourth in Group 3 of League B. Before kickoff, Irish players staged a protest by bowing their heads during the Israeli national anthem and wearing black armbands. The Israeli team also wore black armbands, with UEFA approval, to commemorate the victims of the October 7, 2023, attacks. Following allegations from Irish staff member Damien Doyle, Ireland’s head of athletic performance, that an Israeli player spat at him during the halftime interval, UEFA has launched a formal disciplinary investigation. While Irish head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson confirmed the allegation was made, he noted he did not witness the event personally. An Israeli representative has denied that any spitting occurred.

Entities

UEFA · Heimir Hallgrímsson · Football Association of Ireland · Israel · Republic of Ireland national football team

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Ireland and Israel draw 1-1 amid UEFA disciplinary investigation

    Ireland and Israel drew 1-1 in a Nations League match held behind closed doors in Serbia. The game ended both teams' campaigns and triggered a UEFA investigation into alleged misconduct.

  2. [SPORTS] 7 sources
    UEFA investigates alleged spitting incident in Ireland-Israel match

    UEFA is investigating an alleged spitting incident involving an Israeli player and Irish staff member during a Nations League match in Serbia, amid high tensions between the two sides.

  3. [SPORTS] 105 sources
    Ireland and Israel Nations League match ends in 1-1 draw amid tensions

    Ireland and Israel drew 1-1 in a tense Nations League match in Serbia, marked by political protests and a UEFA investigation into an alleged spitting incident involving an Irish staff member.

  4. [SPORTS] 2 sources
    Ireland vs. Austria match interrupted by Palestinian solidarity protests

    An Ireland vs. Austria football match in Dublin was interrupted twice by fans throwing tennis balls and entering the pitch to protest against matches involving Israel.

  5. [CULTURE] 8 sources
    RÚV board supports continued Eurovision boycott over Israel participation

    Six of nine RÚV board members support boycotting the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest unless Israel is barred from participating, potentially joining Ireland in the protest.

  6. [SPORTS] 35 sources
    Ireland and Austria draw 2-2 amid Nations League protests

    Ireland and Austria drew 2-2 in a Nations League match at the Aviva Stadium, featuring two goals from Troy Parrott and protests involving Palestinian-themed tennis balls.

  7. [SPORTS] 38 sources
    Ireland football team to proceed with Israel Nations League match

    Ireland's national football team will fulfill its Nations League match against Israel in Serbia behind closed doors, despite player divisions, ethical withdrawals, and ongoing protests.

  8. [SPORTS] 2 sources
    FAI President defends decision to play Israel in Nations League fixture

    FAI President Paul Cooke defended the association's decision to play Israel in a Nations League match following goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu's refusal to participate and internal squad debates.

  9. [SPORTS] 3 sources
    Gavin Bazunu withdraws from Ireland matches against Israel

    Ireland goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu has withdrawn from national team matches against Israel, citing ethical concerns over the conflict in Gaza, while the rest of the squad played wearing black solidarity bracelets.

  10. [SPORTS] 161 sources
    Republic of Ireland defeats Israel 3-0 amid Gaza conflict protests

    The Republic of Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 in a Nations League match in Hungary, marked by protests including black armbands, bowing heads during the Israeli anthem, and refusing pre-match handshakes.

  11. [SPORTS] 272 sources
    Ireland defeats Israel 3-0 amid Nations League protests

    Ireland defeated Israel 3-0 in a Nations League match in Hungary, amid controversy. Players wore black armbands and bowed their heads in protest of the Gaza conflict, while goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrew.

  12. [CULTURE] 5 sources
    Ireland to boycott 2027 Eurovision over Gaza crisis

    Ireland will boycott the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest for the second year in a row, with RTÉ citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel's participation as the primary reasons.

  13. [SPORTS] 66 sources
    Ireland football team faces boycott calls ahead of Israel matches

    Ireland's national football team faces intense pressure and boycott calls from over 160 athletes ahead of Nations League matches against Israel, amid heated political rhetoric from coach Heimir Hallgrimsson.

  14. [CULTURE] 7 sources
    Ireland and Netherlands boycott Eurovision 2027 over Israel participation

    Ireland and the Netherlands have announced they will boycott the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, citing protests against Israel's participation and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

  15. [POLITICS] 4 sources
    Irish politicians call for football boycott of Israel matches

    Irish politicians and activists are urging the national football team to boycott an upcoming Nations League match against Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinian human rights.

  16. [CULTURE] 56 sources
    Ireland to boycott Eurovision 2027 over Gaza humanitarian crisis

    Ireland's RTÉ will boycott the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria, citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel's participation as reasons for not sending an act or broadcasting the event.

Sources

072info.com · 1001infos.net · 101greatgoals.com · 24-ore.com · 24.hu · 24matins.es · 24matins.fr · 24sata.hr · 24sata.info · 24ur.com · 5min.at · abc17news.com · abola.pt · actu.fr · actualidad.rt.com · actualno.com · adenalghad.net · adevarul.ro · adnKronos.com · aek1924.gr · agones.gr · ahora.com.pe · ajansspor.com · akos.ba · aksam.com.tr · aksiyon.com.tr · al-monitor.com · alaraby.co.uk · alethonews.com · aljazeera.com · almouwatin.com · alnaharegypt.com · alnaharps.com · alrasheedmedia.com · alresalah.news · ameve.eu · amigoearuba.com · amp.sportsmole.co.uk · arabnews.pk · archive.in.gr · archynewsy.com · arynews.tv · as.ro · ashams.com · avrupagazete.co.uk · aydinlik.com.tr · balla.com.cy · balls.ie

This summary has been updated 82 times: see revision history