Pre-European Council Meeting: Statements
Dail Éireann — 2024-03-20
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Chris Andrews (SF), Dublin Bay South

Last Tuesday, the International Olympic Committee, IOC, took the decision to bar athletes representing countries with responsibility for war and conflict but this seems to apply to only one war - the war in Ukraine. The IOC feels it has the high moral ground to decide which wars are right and just and which are wrong and illegal. As a result, the only countries to be barred from participating in the Paris Olympics are Belarus and Russia. It is disgraceful that after the deaths of more than 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, the IOC has not barred Israel from the Paris Olympics. Equally, FIFA must ban Israel from international competitions. It was disappointing that only one Government TD signed a letter calling for FIFA and UEFA to ban Israeli football teams from competitive international football. We hear a lot of condemnation of Israel from the Government parties yet none of them will sign a letter calling for ending Israeli participation in international football. It is disgraceful. It is an example of the Government being all words and no action because Israel is facing no consequences for its actions. We have an opportunity to ensure our sporting national governing bodies, NGBs, ensure they oppose participation by Israeli teams in international sport in Paris and international football. It is shameful of the Government. It is all talk and no action.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2024-03-20/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:52:47+00:00
Sitting date: 2024-03-20