Irish Wheelchair Basketball Team to Protest Israel at European Qualifiers

This protest mirrors recent actions taken by the Irish men's football team during their matches against Israel. The football team's actions included refusing to shake hands with Israeli players, bowing their heads during the Israeli national anthem, and wearing black armbands.

Pro-Palestinian organizations, including Irish Sport for Palestine and Irish Healthcare Workers for Palestine, have criticized the decision to play the match and called for a boycott. In the Irish Senate, Senator Chris Andrews of Sinn Fein called for an investigation into the Irish Wheelchair Basketball Association's conduct, arguing that disabled sports should be held to the same standards of accountability as other sports organizations.

The Irish Wheelchair Basketball Association stated that player consultation was key to their decisions, noting that while the final decision to participate rests with the team's leadership, the players' stance was considered.