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18 Feb 2026

Councillor Shaun Harkin calls on Ireland to not to play Israel in Nation’s League football tie

'According to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), Israel has killed 774 Palestinian athletes and officials, including 355 footballers' - Shaun Harkin

'According to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), Israel has killed 774 Palestinian athletes and officials, including 355 footballers' - Shaun Harkin

'According to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), Israel has killed 774 Palestinian athletes and officials, including 355 footballers' - Shaun Harkin.

Reporter:

Staff Reporter

18 Feb 2026 4:30 PM

Email:

news@derrynow.com

Derry City and Strabane District councillor Shaun Harkin (PBP) said it would be "shameful" if the Nation’s League football ties between Ireland and Israel were to take place. 
Welcoming the launch of a petition calling for the abandonment of the fixture, Cllr Harkin condemned Israeli participation in international sport.
“Recent reports reveal a devastating toll on Palestinian athletes and sports infrastructure caused by Israeli military actions. According to the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), Israel has killed 774 Palestinian athletes and officials, including 355 footballers," said Cllr Harkin. 
"Among those tragically lost is Suleiman al-Obeid, widely known as the “Palestinian Pele,” who was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza while simply queueing for food," he added.
"In addition to the loss of life, close to 300 sports facilities across Gaza and the occupied West Bank have been destroyed by Israeli attacks. This systematic destruction severely undermines the ability of Palestinian athletes to train, compete, and develop their talents.
"The targeting of sportspeople and facilities by Israel makes it both morally and ethically untenable for Ireland to play these fixtures.  Sport should not be used to normalise a state that perpetuates violence against athletes and systematically dismantles the sporting facilities .
"The Irish people have led the way in standing up for the rights of Palestinians. The FAI refusing to play Israel, would send a powerful message out to the world. The Irish people are committed to opposing the genocide inflicted by Israel in Gaza. 
"When the sporting powers of the world refused to play there during apartheid, the oppressive South African regime was dealt a huge blow. South Africa could not be considered a normal state, while apartheid stood. The FAI can set a precedent here that kicks off a global sporting boycott of Israel, that ends when Palestine is free."

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