Article source: Deutsche Welle on 2024-02-10 09:05:05 – The news is taken from major news media. The news content does not represent the position of this website!
[Irish women’s basketball players refuse to shake hands with their Israeli counterparts]
Ireland’s women’s basketball team shunned the usual pre-game handshake protocol against Israel in a EuroLeague qualifier after they were accused of anti-Semitism by opposing players.
In the game, which was played behind closed doors for security reasons, Israel won with a score of 87-57.— DW Chinese – Deutsche Welle (@dw_chinese)
February 10, 2024
Ireland’s women’s basketball team shunned the usual pre-game handshake protocol against Israel in a EuroLeague qualifier after they were accused of anti-Semitism by opposing players.
Ireland women’s basketball players refused to shake hands with their Israeli counterparts during the EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers in Riga on Thursday (February 8).
Before the game, the Israel Basketball Association published an interview with player Dor Saar, in which she accused the Irish team of anti-Semitic behavior.
“It’s no secret that they are quite anti-Semitic,” Saar said. “Maybe that’s why people are looking forward to a strong dialogue.”
The Irish women’s basketball team issued a statement before the game, calling the comments “inflammatory and completely inaccurate.” The organization said its teams will not participate in “traditional pregame arrangements” such as exchanging gifts or formal handshakes. The team also lined up around the bench to listen to the national anthem instead of in the middle of the field.
Basketball Ireland also reported Sarr’s comments to FIBA and said it “fully supports our players’ decision.”
Calls for boycott mount
The match, which was moved to Riga due to the war in Gaza, went ahead as scheduled despite growing calls for Ireland to boycott the game.
Ireland is the first EU member state to declare that a solution to the Middle East conflict must be based on a fully sovereign Palestinian state, independent of and coexisting with Israel.
Ireland’s Sports Minister Thomas Byrne said the government could not intervene in the dispute and it was up to the international governing body to decide whether the games should go ahead.
Before the game, Israel coach Sharon Drucker criticized Ireland, saying they “disrespected” what the game symbolized. Calls for a boycott intensified after the Israeli team shared photos from training in the days leading up to the game, which included a visit by Israel Defense Forces soldiers. FIBA promised to review the photos to see if they “contradict our values.”
While Ireland did not boycott the tournament – FIBA said teams would face heavy fines and expulsion from the tournament if they boycotted – several players chose not to participate. Former women’s international Rebecca O’Keefe told radio program Lunchtime Live that the boycott would send a “strong message of solidarity” to the Palestinians and that players were being put in a “terrible situation”.
In the game, which was played behind closed doors for security reasons, Israel won with a score of 87-57.
“For such a young group of players, they showed incredible maturity in what has been a stressful week,” Ireland coach James Weldon said. Very difficult.”
In response to the Irish team’s refusal to participate in pre-game protocol, Weldon said: “I would rather talk about basketball than this; we did not participate in pre-game activities as a direct result of the unwarranted comments made by the Israeli camp to our players. unacceptable remarks.”
Drucker: Irish ‘got punished’
Israel coach Drucker insists Ireland have been punished for their behavior before and after the game.
“I have been working in sports for many years and I have never seen anything like this in my life,” Drucker was quoted as saying in the Israeli Basketball Association’s official game report.
He said: “There is no game where there is no humility, no handshakes, no congratulations to each other. They took a step on the wrong path and they were punished today.”
Israel captain Eden Rotberg said: “This is not just a victory. It has become a personal vendetta. It hurts me to see the lack of respect during the national anthem; sports should stay out of politics, And the Irish haven’t been doing that lately.”
Ireland will host Israel in the rematch on November 10.
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2024-02-10 17:07:37
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