Basketball Ireland has been accused of “hypocrisy” after confirming a women’s match against Israel will go ahead in February.
Palestinian activists have called on the organisation to cancel the match due to Israel’s ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza.
In a statement on its website, Basketball Ireland said they were "very concerned" about the situation in Gaza and has "raised strong concerns" about playing matches against Israel to FIBA Europe, who organise international basketball games.
"As it stands, FIBA Europe has not excluded Israel from competing internationally - nor have any other European sporting federations - and as such Basketball Ireland remains obliged to fulfil the fixture on February 8th," they said.
According to The Irish Times, five players have said they will refuse to play and former player Rebecca O’Keefe said they whole team should do likewise.
“I don’t think players should ever have been put in this position,” she told The Hard Shoulder.
“Had FIBA and Basketball Ireland made a stronger stand… they wouldn’t be in this position.
“An article came out yesterday that five players said they would take a stand and not play and I just have to say, ‘Massive respect to them’ and they have the support of so many people.”
Israeli Defence Forces advancing in the Gaza Strip, 27/11/2023. Image: PhotoStock-Israel / Alamy Stock PhotoMs O’Keefe said it highlighted the “double standards, hypocrisy and inconsistencies” of sporting bodies when it comes to boycotts.
Following the invasion of Ukraine, a number of sporting bodies announced Russian teams would no longer be allowed to participate.
Although Israel has been accused of genocide by South Africa in the International Criminal Court of Justice, matches against Israel continue to be played.
“FIBA swiftly removed Russia and Belarus in 2022 from international competitions and Basketball Ireland themselves also supported this,” Ms O’Keefe said.
“They also made a number of stands in support of Ukraine and I agree with all of them - but where is the consistency?”
Basketball Ireland has been contacted for comment.
'It is absurd that application'
Israel’s Ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, has said South Africa is “abusing the term ‘genocide’” in its case at the ICJ.
She also said Hamas is to blame for the conflict, following its attack on October 7th that led to the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis.
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Main image: Palestinians look at a mosque destroyed in an Israeli strike in Rafah, Gaza Strip Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Picture by: AP Photo/Fatima Shbair.
