Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

Israel-Ireland relations

Israel’s Liel Abada passes the ball by Ireland’s Owen Elding during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between the Republic of Ireland and Israel in Backa Topola, Serbia, October 4, 2026. (AP/Darko Vojinovic)
October 5, 2026, 12:48 am
Israel ties Ireland 1:1 as both teams don black armbands for tense UEFA game
Irish captain again refuses to shake hands with Israeli counterpart at match played in Serbia, and Irish players again bow their heads during Israeli anthem
By ToI Staff and Agencies
Tennis balls with stickers of the Palestine flag and the text, “#StopTheGame,” are removed from the field after being thrown by protesters during the UEFA Nations League, Group B3 match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, on October 1, 2026. (Brian Lawless/PA via AP)
October 2, 2026, 3:56 am
Interrupting game, protesters throw tennis balls, urge Ireland to boycott next match against Israel
Balls bearing Palestinian flag thrown onto pitch during Ireland-Austria game, prompting timeout; man with Palestinian flag runs onto pitch when match resumes
By AP
Ireland's soccer players bow their heads as the Israeli national anthem plays before their UEFA Nations League match in Debrecen, Hungary, September 27, 2026. (Bernadett Szabo/Reuters)
September 28, 2026, 4:02 am
Irish soccer team refuses handshakes, bows heads during Israeli anthem; wins the match 3-0
Players wear black armbands to mark Gaza war dead, one player boycotts, broadcaster strips down its coverage; Israel’s captain says Ireland players said unpleasant things during game: ‘Obviously they hate us. We don’t like them’
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Ireland’s players pose for the team picture before the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Kosovo and Ireland in Pristina, Kosovo, September 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Visar Kryeziu)
September 26, 2026, 3:07 pm
After players vote, Ireland decides to play soccer match with Israel; 1 player withdraws
Team was thrown into turmoil after Gavin Bazunu said he would boycott upcoming Nations League fixtures; players to wear black armbands to mark ‘all lives lost in the conflict’
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheal Martin arrives at Heron House, the base of the government’s Number 10 North, in Manchester, England, September 18, 2026. (Oli Scarff/Pool Photo via AP)
September 23, 2026, 10:18 am
Irish PM slams ‘unacceptable’ remarks from Israel’s soccer federation amid spat
Micheal Martin says comments should be ‘withdrawn’ after Israeli body accused Ireland’s coach of ‘stupidity and ignorance’ for saying his team was ‘playing against genocide’
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Ireland’s coach Heimir Hallgrimsson stands by the sideline before a soccer World Cup playoff semifinal soccer match between the Czech Republic and Ireland in Prague, Czech Republic, March 26, 2026. (AP/Vit Tcherny)
September 22, 2026, 2:40 am
Israel’s soccer federation blasts Irish coach for saying ‘we’re playing against genocide’
Ahead of upcoming Nations League matches, association accuses Heimir Hallgrimsson of ‘stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy’; Irish athletes group urges team to boycott the fixtures
By ToI Staff and Reuters
A Falcon 6X by French plane maker Dassault flies during the International Paris Air Show at the Paris Le Bourget airport, north of Paris, June 19, 2023. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)
August 4, 2026, 9:26 pm
Ireland’s new state jet said to struggle to land in fog, after Israeli system rejected
Falcon 6X allegedly lacks Elbit’s low-visibility equipment after procurement officials decided signing with the Israeli defense firm was ‘a step too far’
By ToI Staff
The Jewish settlement of Elazar, in Gush Etzion, West Bank, on June 29, 2020. (Gershon Elinson/Flash90)
July 8, 2026, 9:27 am
Ireland passes bill banning Israeli goods made in East Jerusalem and West Bank
Legislation, which requires final approval from upper house, prohibits import of products from residential, agricultural and business interests outside Israel’s recognized borders
By AFP and ToI Staff
Ireland's Seamus Coleman walks as tennis balls are thrown on to the pitch during the international friendly soccer match between Ireland and Qatar in Dublin, Ireland, May 28, 2026. (AP/Peter Morrison)
June 12, 2026, 9:43 pm
Irish, Israeli soccer teams to play at neutral sites after calls to boycott the matches
Ireland says Oct. 4 game it was due to host being moved because of ‘operational challenges’ of playing in Dublin, where anti-Israel fans recently hurled balls onto field amid play
By Agencies
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (left) is seen at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City during Jerusalem Day celebrations, May 14, 2026. (Jamal Awad/Flash90); National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir tours the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City during Jerusalem Day celebrations on May 14, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 5, 2026, 9:35 pm
Ireland bans Smotrich, Ben Gvir for anti-Palestinian remarks, flotilla actions
Irish PM cast comments by ministers as pushing for ‘elimination of Palestinians from Palestine,’ says behavior justifies sanctions at EU level
By AFP and ToI Staff
Republic of Ireland's defender Seamus Coleman reacts as tennis balls with Palestinian flags on them are thrown onto the pitch during the international friendly soccer match between the Republic of Ireland and Qatar, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on May 28, 2026. (Paul Faith/AFP)
May 30, 2026, 12:19 am
Irish fans disrupt national soccer team’s game to protest planned matches against Israel
Coach of Ireland, who has called for a ban on Israel, says ‘we respect the protest’ after game against Qatar is twice interrupted when Palestinian flagged-tennis balls thrown onto field
By AFP
Illustrative: Pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel protesters gather ahead of a Europa League soccer match between PAOK and Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv in the port city of Thessaloniki, northern Greece, Wednesday, September 24, 2025. (AP/Giannis Papanikos)
May 7, 2026, 11:35 am
Irish athletes, celebrities urge boycott of upcoming soccer games against Israel
Signing letter titled ‘Stop the Game,’ leading figures demand Irish government ‘respect and represent’ wishes of the people, cancel UEFA Nations League games planned for this fall
By Reuters and ToI Staff
Irish players applaud fans following the UEFA Nations League match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley Stadium in London on November 17, 2024. (Ben STANSALL / AFP)
February 26, 2026, 3:25 pm
Irish soccer chief says country has ‘no choice’ but to play matches against Israel
Despite local pressure to boycott, Football Association of Ireland executive says only ‘viable option’ is to play UEFA games in September and October
By AFP
Israel fans cheer their team ahead of a Group I, World Cup qualifier soccer match between Israel and Italy at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos)
February 13, 2026, 2:52 am
Ireland commits to play Israel in European soccer tourney after seeking Israeli team’s ouster
Both squads are drawn in same group for Nations League, with Ireland’s soccer association acknowledging risk of forfeiture if it refuses to play against Jewish state
By Reuters and ToI Staff
A view of Esh Kodesh, an Israeli outpost in the West Bank, on December 14, 2025. (Zain JAAFAR / AFP)
December 24, 2025, 9:55 pm
14 countries condemn Israeli approval of new West Bank settlements
France, Britain, Germany and others say authorization of 19 sites is illegal under international law, warn unilateral actions in West Bank could derail fragile Gaza ceasefire
By AFP and Jeremy Sharon
Load More

Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community

Sign in or Register

Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Sign in or Register
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.