Ireland Women’s Basketball, Playing in a 2025 Eurobasket qualifier on Thursday, an Israeli basketball player refused to shake hands with Israel before the game after accusing the team of anti-Semitism.
women’s basketball Ireland issued a statement before the game announcing that it had been notified. FIBA Europe That the team will not shake hands with Israel before or after the game, and that they will not share center court with their opponents during the national anthem.
The flags of Ireland and Israel hang alongside the FIBA flag during the FIBA women’s basketball Championship qualifier match between Israel and Ireland at the Remi Olympic Center in Riga, Latvia. (Oksana Dzadan/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
“Basketball Ireland informed FIBA Europe yesterday that as a direct result of recent comments Israeli players and coaching staff – including the outrageous and completely false accusations of anti-Semitism published on Israel’s official federation channels – that our players will not take part in traditional pre-match preparations with our upcoming opponents,” the statement said. It was said.
“This includes the exchange of gifts, formal handshakes before or after the game, while our players will line up for the Irish National Anthem in front of our bench instead of center court. Basketball Ireland fully supports our players in their decision. Is.”
Team Ireland stands by their bench as Team Israel stands on the court as the teams sing their national anthems before the FIBA women’s basketball Championship qualifier match between Israel and Ireland at the Remi Olympic Center in Riga, Latvia. are standing for (Oksana Dzadan/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
The objection followed comments by Dor Sa’ar, who made his debut with the national team on Thursday, that were published in an article by the Israel Basketball Association earlier this week.
“It is known that they are. Quite anti-Semitic And it’s no secret, and maybe that’s why a strong game is expected,” his comments read.
“We have to show that we are better than them and win. We talk about it among ourselves, we know they don’t love us and we always and especially in this game everything on the field. Will leave.”
Team Israel celebrates victory after the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Championship qualifier match between Israel and Ireland at the Remi Olympic Center in Riga, Latvia. (Oksana Dzadan/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Saar’s comments led to calls for Ireland to boycott the game. According to the BBC, women’s basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan said the team had been told they would face heavy fines if they boycotted the game.
“I’m pretty sure we’re going to be hit pretty hard because we originally asked if there was an alternative to playing this game and all the rest of it, and from that point of view there isn’t,” he said.
Israel won this match 87-57.