'FAI made right decision on Israel matches' says Taoiseach in Cork

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Uefa Nations League fixtures between Ireland and Israel this autumn should go ahead despite calls for their boycott.

Speaking to reporters in Cork on Friday, Mr Martin said he believed the Football Association of Ireland had taken the correct decision to fulfil the fixture.

“We hope Ireland does well in the competition, there is a rejuvenation, there is a journey ahead of that Irish team, they have been doing very well so far and we wish them well.” 

Mr Martin pointed out that there is no official boycott of Israel, and Ireland and the international community was now focussed on peace in the Middle East.

“We are pleased that the Rafah crossing [in Gaza] is open, but we would want it opened more broadly. We need more comprehensive humanitarian aid into Gaza and then we need to really see the reconstruction of Gaza happening.” 

The Taoiseach’s comments come amid calls for the away fixtures to be boycotted by Ireland, or for Ireland to insist on its home fixture being played at a neutral venue outside Dublin in protest against Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

Ireland will play its away match with Israel on September 27 but at a neutral venue outside Israel.

The home fixture is scheduled for Dublin on October 4, but there have been mounting calls for Ireland to opt to have the game hosted at a neutral overseas venue.

Mr Martin cautioned that people needed to distinguish between the Israeli people and the actions of the Israeli government.

“We have been critics and have opposed very strongly Israeli government policy within Gaza in particular. We condemned Hamas’s attack on Israel which was absolutely horrific.

“We’ve also condemned the breaches of international humanitarian law which occurred in Israel’s response to that and the killing of thousands and thousands of innocent people, particularly children, within Gaza.” 

Mr Martin added: “I think is an area that can be challenging when it crosses into the realm of politics.” 

Uefa has its own rules, the Taoiseach said, and the logistics of match fixtures was a matter for it, but he was confident Irish security authorities would make decisions in the best interests of ensuring that the October 4 fixture in Dublin would proceed in a secure environment while protecting all of those in attendance.

The Taoiseach said he did not know if he would be able to attend the Dublin fixture.

"I don't know yet where I will be,” he said.