Friday, February 9, 2024

Ireland's team refuse to shake hands with Israel players

Not for what you might think.

Ireland women's basketball team refuse to shake hands with Israel - BBC

. . ."Basketball Ireland's statement prior to the start of the game read: "Basketball Ireland informed Fiba Europe yesterday that as a direct result of recent comments made by Israeli players and coaching staff - including inflammatory and wholly inaccurate accusations of anti-Semitism, published on official Israeli Federation channels - that our players will not be partaking in traditional pre-match arrangements with our upcoming opponents.

" 'This includes exchanging of gifts, formal handshakes before or after the game, while our players will line up for the Irish national anthem by our bench rather than centre court.

" 'Basketball Ireland fully supports our players in their decision."

"In an interview on the Israeli Basketball Association's website, United States-based student Saar said: "It's known that they are quite anti-semitic and it's no secret, and maybe that's why a strong game is expected.

" 'We have to show that we're better than them and win. We talk about it among ourselves. We know they don't love us and we will leave everything on the field always and in this game especially.' " . . .

 Ireland refuse to shake hands with Israel players (msn.com)

Blow-up after Irish basketball team refuses to shake hands of Israelis | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site   "Geo-politics has been thrust into the centre of a basketball match between Ireland and Israel after the Irish team refused to shake the hands of their opponents.

"Competing in the first match of EuroBasket Women 2025, a qualifier in Latvia, the Irish team made a public display to snub the Israelis as tempers flared over an “inflammatory” interview.

"The Irish players were incensed over comments made by Israeli player Dor Saar in an interview published by the Israeli Basketball Association (IBA)." . . .



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