A new ‘Stop the Game’ banner has been raised on SIPTU’s Liberty Hall in Dublin.
SIPTU Deputy General Secretary Greg Ennis said: “There are much more important things in life than six points from two UEFA Nations League matches against Israel. The IDF is responsible for the deliberate targeting and killing of children.
The Israeli football team is made up of veteran and reservist IDF soldiers. The Israeli government is responsible for the deaths of at least 74,000 Palestinians, 21,000 of whom were children, through the actions of the IDF.
“The Irish football team must not facilitate Israel in the sportswashing of its monstrous and genocidal crimes against humanity. Football in Ireland will still go on if our team refuses to take to the field to play Israel.
“While it is disgraceful that the Irish Government and the FAI have put players in this invidious position, I believe the Irish players have a conscience, will not find themselves on the wrong side of history and won’t play ball with genocide.”