I welcome the Minister of State with responsibility for sport to the House. Sport has always occupied a unique place in humane society. It transcends politics, religion, ethnicity and nationality. It brings people together in a way that very few things can. That is why I approached this motion with extreme caution. Let me be clear to this House: I condemn the horrific attacks that were carried out by Hamas against Israel on 7 October 2023, the murder of innocent civilians, the taking of hostages and the acts of terror. None of that can ever be justified. Equally, I am deeply troubled and disgusted by the devastating loss of civilian life in Gaza and the suffering of innocent men, women and children. It is absolutely heartbreaking to watch. One lesson that I have learnt in life is that war brings tragedy and grief to everybody it touches. However, young athletes should not be asked to carry the burden of resolving geopolitical conflicts that they did not create. As the Minister of State knows, a sporting career is short. For many of these players, there will be few opportunities for them to represent their country on an international stage. We should be very careful, therefore, before we ask them to sacrifice for that decision of which they have absolutely no control. The decision regarding Israeli participation in games with Ireland in UEFA competition is a matter for UEFA, not the FAI or for this House to impose on sports people. History teaches us one thing, which is very important. When South Africa emerged from apartheid, Nelson Mandela understood the extraordinary power of sport by uniting a nation and not dividing it. He used the Rugby World Cup not as a weapon, but as an instrument of reconciliation. He brought a country together where politics alone had failed to do so. That lesson is as relevant to this House today as it was then. I say to those who are angry that they have the right to be angry, and they should be angry. I say to them to bring their energy to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, this Chamber and the institutions and governments that have the power to act on that and to push for sanctions and for accountability locally, nationally and internationally. That is where the battle truly is, not on the sports ground. Parliaments and this Parliament exist to settle political disputes. Sport fields exist to bring people together. At a time the world feels increasingly divided, we need more spaces where people of different nationalities, beliefs and backgrounds can still meet peacefully and respectfully in a mutual respect of one another in the name of competition. This House should be protecting those spaces and not dismantling them. Let politics be debated in the parliament. Let diplomacy be pursued by this Government and the European governments. However, let athletics compete, let supporters come together and let sports remain the most powerful focus that we have to unite the people.

Sentiment score: -0.08