Middle East conflict in Irish football: The low value of Jewish football

T he name Finn Isaac Azaz probably means nothing to a few people in this country. He is a professional soccer player at English FC Southampton, where he is a regular player, and he is a member of the Irish national team. Last Sunday, in Ireland's 3-0 win over Israel, Azaz was not present. “Not fit enough to play,” said Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrímsson, also referring to his mental state.

Azaz's mother is Israeli, his father is from Cork and is Irish. Due to his family roots, he could have played for Israel, but chose Ireland.

It was uncertain for a long time that Israel's game against Ireland would take place (the second leg takes place on Sunday). Ireland's team had considered a boycott, and Irish fans also called for a cancellation. They justified it with their protest against the Israeli government and also because they see it as resistance to what some people are quite loudly calling genocide, namely Israel's warfare in Gaza. Perhaps some also want a boycott because they consider Israel's military response to the murder of over a thousand people on October 7, 2023 to be wrong. Some are generally bothered by the existence of a Jewish state.

The players debated for four hours and ultimately voted, it is said, with a “significant majority” to take part. Only regular goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu had already decided in advance for a private boycott - because of his "personal conviction that killing innocent people is wrong". Bazunu did not say that this was related to the Hamas murders, but he did emphasize that “my stance is not directed against the Israeli people or the Jewish community, but against the atrocities in the region.” Bazunu's colleagues agreed to play with mourning bandages, to bow their heads during the Israeli anthem, not to exchange pennants and to refuse to shake hands with their Israeli professional colleagues.

Irish media reported that Finn Azaz gave a “passionate speech”. According to insiders, he “stood up for Israel to his teammates” and clearly voted against a boycott. Now the Irish Football Association is speculating that the 26-year-old Azaz will retire from the Irish national team. Azaz has not commented on this rumor; it is being reported by association sources.

Ireland coach Hallgrímsson found martial words for the game against Israel that was ultimately scheduled: “We are not playing with genocide, we are playing against genocide.” He showed great understanding for the boycott debate. Some players “feel really uncomfortable” having to play against Israelis, he said. There is no sign that the understanding of the coach, the goalkeeper Bazunu or the majority of colleagues could also apply to people like Finn Azaz, who perhaps no longer sees a place for himself. Solidarity with threatened Jews seems to be a superfluous thing.

In football, as the poet Ror Wolf once put it, “there is a whole lot of world to be found.” The willingness to simply ignore the concerns and feelings of professional footballer Finn Azaz seems to find a counterpart in the political and social reality of many European countries. Then the Jew won't be there anymore, it will be said that he didn't fit in with us anyway.

It is feared that large sections of the public do not want Finn Isaac Azaz to say anything to them.