‘If they don’t want to shake their hands, that’s OK’ — Israel will offer handshakes to Ireland players

The Israel women's basketball team has confirmed it will offer pre-match handshakes to the Irish national team ahead of their upcoming EuroBasket 2025 qualifier. This gesture follows reports that the Irish players would boycott the traditional handshake ceremony as a protest against the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israeli officials stated that they intend to extend the offer regardless of the Irish team's response, emphasizing that they will respect the decision if the Irish players choose to decline.

The match has drawn significant attention due to the geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict. The Basketball Association of Ireland previously announced that its players would not participate in pre-match formalities with the Israeli team, citing the current situation in the region. The decision to proceed with the handshake offer is presented by Israeli representatives as a neutral adherence to sporting protocol despite the publicized boycott.