FORMER Ireland manager Brian Kerr has backed a campaign calling on the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to boycott the national team's upcoming fixtures against Israel.
The Boys in Green are due to play Israel away on September 27 and in Dublin on October 4 in Group B3 of the UEFA Nations League.
However, the organisation Irish Sport for Palestine has launched a campaign called Stop the Game, urging the FAI to 'show the world that whilst others may stand idly by, Ireland will not'.
An open letter from the campaign to the FAI has been signed by Kerr and others in the game, including Roberto Lopes, Chair of the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland.
Other high-profile figures have also signed the letter, including rap trio Kneecap, Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and actor Stephen Rea.
'Serious breaches'
Stop the Game said the FAI should boycott the fixtures due to Israel's actions in Palestine and the failure of football's governing bodies to sanction Israel for having clubs based in illegal settlements.
In March, FIFA said it would take no action on the latter issue as 'the final legal status of the West Bank remains an unresolved and highly complex matter'.
This is despite the International Court of Justice ruling that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and the creation of Israeli settlements is unlawful.
Amnesty International says there are at least six clubs based in illegal settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).
"We call upon you to refuse to participate in the two scheduled UEFA Nations League games against Israel," read the Stop the Game letter to the FAI.
"Firstly, on the basis of the clear and ongoing serious breaches of UEFA & FIFA statute regarding Israeli teams playing on occupied Palestinian lands.
"As a member of UEFA, you have a duty to uphold these rules if UEFA will not."
'Apartheid and war crimes'
The letter adds that the FAI should also boycott the games 'on the basis of the brutal system of apartheid and acts of genocide'.
Fulfilling the fixtures would sportswash what is happening in Palestine and 'give cover to such crimes in the name of football'.
"We call on you to ensure the Irish football team is not used to mask UEFA rules breaches, apartheid and war crimes," read the letter.
"And to respect the call to boycott the game by the majority of players, fans and communities across Ireland.
"Last November, 93 per cent of FAI members voted to instruct the Association to go to UEFA and call for Israel's suspension under those statutes.
"We call on you to fully respect and represent this mandate.
"Through your leadership and courage, we show the world that whilst others may stand idly by, Ireland will not.
"Just as history rightly celebrates the Dunnes Stores workers during South African apartheid, the FAI will be celebrated by future generations of Irish people for doing the right thing when others did not."
'Humanitarian catastrophe'
Several current League of Ireland players have signed the letter, including Shamrock Rovers defender Lopes, who is due to represent Cape Verde at this summer's World Cup.
The Dubliner said some issues are bigger than sport and that it was important 'to look at the bigger picture'.
"We can't ignore the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine; the sheer loss of life there has to take precedence over any sporting consideration," he said.
"Ireland has an opportunity here to lead — to be a pioneer and do what others won't.
"We need to be brave enough to say enough is enough. We can't just stand by. Please, stop the game."
As well as former Ireland manager Kerr, other Irish football figures to sign the letter include former League of Ireland player and manager Roddy Collins and former Ireland and Arsenal star Louise Quinn.
Among the other non-sporting figures to back the campaign are Paul Weller, Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream and actor and singer Maria Doyle Kennedy.
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See More: FAI, Irish Sport For Palestine, Palestine
