Israel's Foreign Minister Accuses Ireland of Supporting Terrorism

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar accused the Irish national football team of siding with Palestinian terrorism ahead of a match between Israel and Ireland. Sa'ar, writing on X (formerly Twitter) in both Hebrew and English, referenced historical events involving the Irish team and Nazi Germany.

He recalled that in May 1939, the Irish football team played against Germany in Bremen. According to Sa'ar, the Irish players gave a Nazi salute during the German anthem to "honor the hosts." He further stated that during World War II, Ireland chose "neutrality" between good and evil, and after the war, in 1945, the Irish Prime Minister Eamon de Valera offered condolences to the German representative on Hitler's death.

Sa'ar drew a parallel to the upcoming match, asserting that the Irish team's "famous Irish conscience" was emerging again. "So they gave a Nazi salute. This time they are clearly on the side of Palestinian terrorism," Sa'ar wrote. He added that the black armbands the Irish players were to wear were overshadowed by the "black flag of jihadism."

The match, scheduled for Sunday evening, had already generated controversy due to reports that the Irish team intended to boycott the game and stage protests in support of Palestinians. Ultimately, only the substitute goalkeeper reportedly took such a stance.