Israel Midfielder Dor Peretz Unfazed by Potential Irish Protest

Israeli national football team midfielder Dor Peretz stated he is unconcerned if Irish players refuse to shake hands before their upcoming Nations League match. "If they don't shake our hands, it's okay 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 comprehend the country's reality and should "read more and visit us" to understand before criticizing.

The comments come after a tumultuous period for the Irish team, where a majority of players voted to proceed with the match against Israel as scheduled, despite some expressing reservations. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, who reportedly did not wish to participate, 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."

Peretz also addressed the team's recent 3-1 loss to Austria, highlighting the need to improve defensive play and maintain focus throughout the game. "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 and for a clean sheet.

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