Israel Midfielder Dor Peretz Unfazed by Potential Irish Handshake Boycott

Israeli national football team midfielder Dor Peretz stated he would not be bothered if the Irish team refused to shake hands before their upcoming Nations League match. "If they don't shake our hands, it's fine with me. We will respect the occasion as it is," Peretz said at a press conference on Saturday. He added that those outside Israel struggle to understand the country's reality and should "read more and visit us" to comprehend it.

The comments come after significant controversy within the Irish camp regarding the match. Following extensive discussions and a secret vote, the majority of the Irish squad decided to proceed with the game as scheduled. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who expressed reluctance to play, is expected to be unavailable.

Israeli coach Ran Ben Shimon emphasized his team's focus on football, stating, "We didn't come to characterize the Irish team, but to talk about how we will exploit their weaknesses." He cautioned against underestimating the opponent.

Peretz also reflected on Israel's recent 3-1 loss to Austria, highlighting the need for defensive improvement and sustained performance throughout the match. "The less we concede, the longer we stay in the game," he noted, expressing hope for the team's creativity to also be on display.

Israel and Ireland are scheduled to play in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday at 21:45, as part of the Nations League.