Donegal opposition TDs have demanded Ireland's UEFA Nations League clashes with Israel be called off amid the ongoing situation in Gaza.

Deputies Pearse Doherty and Charles Ward have spoken in support of a ‘Stop the Game’ motion tabled by Sinn Féin Joanna Byrne, which is due to be voted on on Wednesday.

“When people witness suffering, injustice and genocide in Palestine, their instinct is not to look away but to speak out,” said Deputy Doherty.

"The people of Ireland expect their Government to reflect those values always, not only when there is no cost, but especially when difficult choices have to be made.

Palestinians play football inside a school sheltering displaced people at the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on June 9, 2026. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP via Getty Images)

placeholder image — Palestinians play football inside a school sheltering displaced people at the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on June 9, 2026. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP via Getty Images)

"The question before us is not really about sport but about whether there comes a point when a nation says that normal business cannot continue.

"History tells us that there are such moments, occasions when silence is wrong and when neutrality between oppression and injustice is impossible. That is the tradition we inherited and it is the one we should honour. It is the tradition that should guide us today. That is why we need to stop the game,” said the Sinn Féin TD.

Deputy Ward said he was proud to stand with his Donegal constituents in support of the Stop The Game campaign.

“After more than two years of watching Israel commit genocide against the Palestinian people in real time, we cannot allow Israel to use sport to normalise its crimes.

“This autumn's Nations League game between Ireland and Israel must be called off. Poll after poll shows the majority of people in Ireland do not want to see this game played,” the 100% Redress representative argued.

He claimed that even the ‘players do not want to play this game’.

"As Donegal man Séamus Coleman said, players have a heart, they know what is right and what is wrong. He said, ‘It's awful, it is extremely sad and it's a very difficult position for the players to be in’. It is ridiculous that the players have been put in this situation and have to come out and answer,” declared Deputy Ward.

He cited figures from the Palestinian Football Association that estimate over 1,000 members of the Gaza sports community have been killed over the past three years.

"Between October 2023 and February 2026, 184 sports facilities, stadiums, halls and headquarters were completely destroyed and a further 81 facilities were partially destroyed.

"Meanwhile stadiums have been turned into shelters for displaced people. Israel has stripped the Palestinian people of the opportunity to play, watch and enjoy football, yet there are no consequences for this,” he said.

Minister of State for Sport Charlie McConalogue reiterated the Government’s position that the decision on whether or not to fulfil the fixture was up to the Football Association of Ireland to make.

“While there is speculation that the FAI may request that UEFA allow the game to be moved to a neutral venue abroad, this is ultimately a decision for the FAI to make.

“While the decision to fulfil the fixtures, or not, is a matter for the FAI, it is important to note that not fulfilling the games could have serious sporting consequences for the Irish team, including losing points, relegation in Nations League standings, weaker seeding for Euro 2028 qualification and harm to its FIFA ranking,” he said.