Protests tonight before League of Ireland ties?

Players in the League of Ireland are expected to turn their backs for a brief period before matches tonight, 18 September, in a gesture of solidarity with Palestinians and opposition to the ongoing genocide in the country being carried out by Israel.

Turn Your Back on Genocide, not Palestine, has been organised by a coalition of trade unions, Palestine solidarity groups, and football supporters’ groups, and will run between 18-27 September.

The action was initially to begin on 20 September but has begun early due to popular demand.

SIPTU General Secretary Greg Ennis said: “The response from teams has meant we are bringing the start of the action forward. Clubs and players with fixtures this evening and on Saturday have contacted us to participate and we want to make sure their actions can be included.

“This is an action that teams at every level can participate in. It is peaceful, respectful and focused on remembering the victims while sending a clear message that the sporting community will not remain silent in the face of what is happening in Palestine.

“It will also indicate the support within the Irish sporting community for those workers, whether professional sportspeople or working in any other sector, who wish to follow their conscience and have no part in the still scheduled to take place international football games involving Israel,” he said.

Ireland are due to play Israel in the UEFA Nations League on 27 September in Debrecen, Hungary, and again on 4 October in Backa Topola, Serbia.

Irish Sport for Palestine spokesperson, Joanne McDonald, said: “This is an action that teams at every level can participate in. It is peaceful, respectful, and focused on remembering the victims while sending a clear message that the sporting community will not remain silent in the face of what is happening in Palestine.”