The call to stop the Ireland-Israel football match has overwhelming support from the Irish public, yet somehow some Government TDs are trying to paint it as a controversial move. I cannot understand why we need to even think about whether or not it is okay to welcome Israel here. It is an apartheid state that has inflicted mass genocide on the people of Palestine. Let us remember the double standards. When Russia and Belarus invaded Ukraine, it took UEFA and FIFA just four days to ban them, but Israel? Complete inaction. On one hand, our Government tells us Israel is carrying out a genocide; on the other hand, it welcomes Israel's team into our capital city. We have a simple but powerful opportunity here to say no - no to apartheid, no to genocide. Has the Government just decided to throw the numerous UN conventions on genocide, the rights of children and apartheid in sport straight out the window? History shows that sporting boycotts work. Banning South Africa from sport helped dismantle apartheid. Just last year, cities refused to host Israel's cycling teams. That crippled Israel's sportswashing in cycling, effectively bringing it to a complete end. Ireland now has a historic opportunity to tell the world we will not treat an apartheid state as an equal by welcoming it here to Dublin. Will we say, "No, Ireland will not stand side by side with an apartheid state"? Most importantly, we have a chance to say to the people of Palestine, "We have not forgotten you and we will never be silent while Israel's brutal system of apartheid continues." Stop the match. Take a stand. I have four boys at home who absolutely adore sport. What kind of a mother would I be to say, "Yes, these folk are getting away with absolute murder, but the Government and we as people who are elected by the people of Ireland will not stand up and make a stand"? There should be consequences. What are we teaching our children? That you can get away with murder. It is wrong. Stop the game.

Sentiment score: -0.02