Irish prime minister Micheál Martin defended national football coach Heimir Hallgrímsson after Israel’s football federation criticised the manager as “stupid, ignorant and hypocritical” because of his statements about the conflict in Gaza.
Speaking to journalists in New York while attending the UN general assembly, Martin described the federation’s response as unacceptable and called for it to be retracted. He added that Israel could not continue to reject facts widely recognised and understood around the world.
The dispute began after Hallgrímsson spoke ahead of two Nations League matches against Israel. He said his team was not aligning itself with genocide but facing a country accused of committing it, stressing that Ireland would compete against Israel rather than alongside it.
Martin said the coach’s words reflected broader alarm over the number of deaths and the extensive destruction in Gaza. He also referred to comments made by UN secretary general António Guterres.
On Wednesday, while preparing for Thursday’s match in Kosovo, Hallgrímsson thanked Martin for supporting him. He acknowledged that his remarks at the previous press conference had shifted attention away from Ireland’s important upcoming fixture.
Hallgrímsson admitted that, from a leadership perspective, drawing attention to the issue may not have been the wisest decision. Nevertheless, he said the team appreciated the backing it had received during a difficult period.
The argument has intensified an existing controversy in the Republic surrounding the matches scheduled for 27 September and 4 October. More than 160 Irish athletes have signed an open letter urging the national side to boycott the fixtures. Demonstrators also assembled outside the team’s Dublin hotel on Monday, with additional protests expected across the country before the games.
In November, the Football Association of Ireland approved a motion asking European football’s governing authority, Uefa, to suspend Israel from international tournaments. However, the association said it had few alternatives to playing the matches because refusing could result in sporting penalties and financial consequences.
Ireland’s designated home game on 4 October was relocated from Dublin’s Aviva Stadium to Backa Topola in Serbia because of security concerns and the possibility of disruption. Israel’s official home fixture on 27 September will likewise take place at a neutral ground in Debrecen, Hungary.
Israel firmly denies claims that its military actions in Gaza constitute genocide. On 7 October 2023, Hamas carried out the deadliest assault against Israel, with militants killing 1,221 people and taking 251 hostages into Gaza. Israeli official records state that 44 of those captives were already dead.
Israel responded with a major military campaign that has forced nearly all of Gaza’s residents from their homes at least once. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, whose casualty totals are broadly regarded as credible, the offensive has killed 73,919 people.
Ireland has traditionally expressed strong support for the Palestinian cause, with public solidarity often associated with its own historical experience under British rule. In 2024, Dublin officially recognised Palestinian statehood alongside Spain and Norway, while repeatedly condemning Israel’s conduct during the Gaza war.
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