Former Ireland Captain Calls for Respect for Israeli Anthem Amid Boycott Calls

Former Ireland captain Kenny Cunningham has voiced an unusual stance amidst calls in Ireland to boycott matches against Israel. Cunningham, who earned 72 caps for his country, stated he would prefer to see Israel play in Dublin and that the Irish crowd should respect the Israeli national anthem, "Hatikvah." He believes such a gesture could convey a human message to Israelis, acknowledging their suffering since the October 7th attacks and the lives lost. Cunningham criticized the nature of some protests against Israel, preferring respectful stadium gestures over actions like throwing objects at Israeli players or vandalizing hotels where the team might stay. He suggested that some Israeli players might themselves disagree with their government's policies and feel disgusted by the conflict. Cunningham also argued that a sporting boycott would not necessarily lead to positive change, suggesting that preventing a match would not advance anything and that Irish players might not face professional repercussions for refusing to play, potentially even receiving praise. He questioned the logic of potential future boycotts, such as refusing to play Israel in the Euro 2028 tournament if Ireland were to host it, and warned that players would ultimately bear the cost of such boycotts. However, Cunningham acknowledged the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, stating he does not have the answers and that the dispute spans decades. His comments come amid significant controversy in Ireland regarding the Nations League matches against Israel, with recent protests including throwing tennis balls and displaying anti-Israel banners during a match against Qatar.