Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar took to social media platform X on Sunday to address the upcoming soccer fixture between the national teams of Israel and Ireland, issuing a scathing post that directly linked Dublin’s contemporary hostility toward Israel to its historical stances before and during World War II.
Sa’ar referenced the soccer friendly held in Bremen in May 1939 between Ireland and Germany, during which Irish players gave the Nazi salute during the playing of the German national anthem. He further highlighted Ireland’s formal neutrality policy throughout World War II, as well as the notorious decision by then-Taoiseach Éamon de Valera to pay a formal condolence visit to the German representative in Dublin following the suicide of Adolf Hitler.
“And today—another soccer match. This time against Israel’s national team. Once again, the famous Irish conscience emerges and takes to the pitch,” Sa’ar wrote.
1+He continued: “Nearly 90 years have passed. The unique Irish talent for standing on the wrong side of history remains fully intact.”
Sa’ar also sharply condemned the black armbands that Irish players intend to wear during the match: “Back then they gave the Nazi salute. This time they are clearly on the side of Palestinian terror. Above the black armbands the Irish players will wear tonight flies the black flag of jihadism.”
1+Sa’ar concluded his remarks by wishing the Israeli national team success in tonight’s match.