The Irish Football Association Calls for Suspension of Israel's Participation in European Championships

The Irish Football Association officially approved a decision today, Saturday, calling on the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to suspend the participation of Israeli teams and clubs in all European competitions, in light of the ongoing situation in the Palestinian territories, according to what was reported by the "Reuters" agency.

The association clarified in its statement that this step comes in solidarity with the civilian victims in Gaza, and a call for UEFA to take a clear stance regarding what it described as "the ongoing violations of international humanitarian law" by Israel.

According to what was published by Al-Ghad newspaper, the proposal is based on two main violations committed by the Israeli Football Association:

- Organizing clubs within the occupied Palestinian territories without the approval of the Palestinian association, which constitutes a direct violation of UEFA regulations.
- Failing to implement an effective anti-racism policy, which is one of the basic conditions for membership of associations within the European football system.

This proposal is expected to be raised during the next UEFA meeting, amid varying positions among European associations between calling for a temporary freeze or settling for symbolic condemnation.

This Irish step is considered one of the most prominent European sports movements against Israel since the outbreak of the recent war on Gaza, and it may open the door to further pressures within international sports institutions to take similar actions.