Hand-wringing is complicity. We, as a nation, have always prided ourselves on standing on the side of justice, humanity and, indeed, international law but today, as the world watches the ongoing devastation in Gaza and the mounting civilian death toll of 73,000 to 75,000 - we do not fully know - men, women and children, our Government hesitates. This hesitation is absolutely unacceptable. It is time - indeed, it is past time - for us to show leadership worthy of our values and for us, as parliamentarians, to show absolute leadership and direction. We must demand that UEFA acts with moral clarity and expels Israel from international football. UEFA cannot preach respect, equality and, indeed, fair play while allowing a state engaged in relentless disproportionate violence against civilians to participate as though nothing is happening. Sport does not exist in a vacuum. Football cannot be a sanctuary for cheerleaders of atrocity. Ireland must not hide behind process or, indeed, bureaucracy. We must be the country that says what others are afraid to say. We must insist unequivocally that the upcoming nations league fixture involving Israel does not go ahead - not in Dublin, not anywhere. To go ahead with these matches would be to normalise what is the abnormal and pretend that the suffering of thousands through state sponsored slaughter can be brushed aside for 90 minutes of football. Our Government must use its voice and use its influence. We have done it before; we can do it again. The world remembers with Ireland stood against apartheid. The world remembers when Ireland championed peace and human rights. This is not about politics. It is about humanity. It is about refusing to look away. It is about demanding that UEFA lives up to its own principles. It is about Ireland leading both bravely and apologetically when leadership is most needed. The time for caution is over. The time for action is now.

Sentiment score: -0.02