ireland women's basketball, Playing in a EuroBasket 2025 qualifying game on Thursday, he refused to shake Israel's hand before the game after an Israeli basketball player accused the team of anti-Semitism.
Basketball Ireland issued a statement before the match announcing that it had informed FIBA Europe that the team would not shake hands with Israel before or after the game, and that they would not share center court with their opponents during the national anthems.
The flags of Ireland and Israel hang next to the FIBA flag during the FIBA Women's EuroBasket Championship qualifying match between Israel and Ireland at the Rimi Olympic Center in Riga, Latvia. (Oksana Dzadan/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
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“Basketball Ireland informed FIBA Europe yesterday that as a direct result of recent comments made by Israeli players and coaching staff – including inflammatory and totally inaccurate accusations of anti-Semitism, published on the official channels of the Israeli Federation – that our players will not participate in the traditional pre-match arrangements with our upcoming opponents,” the statement read.
“This includes the exchange of gifts, formal handshakes before or after the game, while our players line up for the Irish national anthem on our bench instead of on center court. Basketball Ireland fully supports our players in their decision “.
Team Ireland stands by their bench while Team Israel stands on the court as the teams listen to their national anthems before the FIBA Women's EuroBasket Championship qualifying match between Israel and Ireland at the Rimi Olympic Center in Riga, Latvia . (Oksana Dzadan/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
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The snub followed comments made by Dor Sa'ar, who debuted with the national team on Thursday, which were published in an article by the Israel Basketball Association earlier this week.
“It is known that they are quite antisemitic and it's no secret, and maybe that's why a strong game is expected,” his comments read.
“We have to show that we are better than them and win. We talk about it among ourselves, we know that they don't love us and we will always leave everything on the field and especially in this game.”
Team Israel celebrates victory after the FIBA Women's EuroBasket Championship qualifying match between Israel and Ireland at the Rimi Olympic Center in Riga, Latvia. (Oksana Dzadan/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
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Sa'ar's comments followed calls for Ireland to boycott the match. According to the BBC, Basketball Ireland chief executive John Feehan said the team was told they would face massive fines if they boycotted the game.
“I'm pretty sure we would beat ourselves up pretty bad because we really asked if there was an alternative to playing this game and everything else, and from that perspective there isn't,” he said.
Israel won the match 87-57.
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