Israeli Basketball Team Blows Out Ireland After Irish Refuse To Shake Hands Following Antisemitism Accusations

The Israeli women's basketball team beat Ireland 87-57 in the first game of the 2025 Women's EuroBasket qualifier on Thursday, but the result of the game or even the play on the court wasn't the story of the night.

The Irish refused to shake hands before and after the game with the Israelis and didn't take center court during the playing of the national anthem. According to Basketball Ireland, the decision to not take part was a "direct result of recent comments made by Israeli players and coaching staff — including inflammatory and wholly inaccurate accusations of antisemitism, published on official Israeli federation channels."

Ireland's statement also stated that it "fully supports our players in their decision" to not participate in pre and postgame ceremonies with Israel.

(Photo By Oksana Dzadan/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

The day before the game, Israeli player Dor Sa’ar called the Irish "quite antisemitic" in an interview posted on the Israeli Basketball Association's official website.

"It's known that they are quite antisemitic and it's no secret, and maybe that's why a strong game is expected," Sa'ar said. "We have to show that we're better than them and win. We talk about it among ourselves, we know they don't like us and we will always leave everything on the field and in this game especially."

Sa'ar made her national team debut in Thursday's win and said the controversy helped fuel her and her Israeli teammates.

"It’s always fun to represent the country, certainly at a time like this. I’m happy that we won and let’s just continue like this. I don’t want to get into the political issue, but it gives drive and motivation, we screamed the anthem and sang with pride, we need to show the whole world that we are Israel and we will stay here."

During the playing of the national anthem, Ireland did stand but stood near its team bench while Israel stood at center court, which is the norm.

"I’ve been in sports for many years, I’ve never seen such things, in my life," Israel head coach Sharon Drucker said after the game.

"There was no game where you don’t give concessions, shake hands, congratulate each other. They took a step in an absolute way and they received their punishment today."

There were calls for Ireland to boycott the game altogether but said that the team would be fined up to $86,000 by FIBA Europe and face a five-year ban in future tournaments.