Ireland’s Bazunu breaks silence after decision to withdraw from Israel game

Bazunu is the only player so far to have publicly withdrawn.

Posted on social media, and quoted in the Irish Independent, it reads: "Representing my country means everything to me. I have the utmost respect for every single one of my team-mates, the manager, his staff and the Irish people.

"However I have reached a decision that I have not taken lightly. I am a man of strong faith and try my best to be a person of character and principle therefore I feel it would be wrong to participate in the upcoming fixtures against Israel.

"My decision is based purely upon my personal belief that the killing of innocent people is wrong.

"It is important to note that my stance is not in opposition of the Israeli people or the Jewish community but against the atrocities in the region.

"There are few times where you get a chance in life to stand up for something bigger and I strongly believe that this is one of them.”

As widely reported, a UN independent Commission of Inquiry has concluded that Israeli authorities and security forces have committed and are continuing to commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

More than 73,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Gaza since Israel launched its military campaign following the Hamas-led October 7 attacks in southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people, according to widely cited estimates.

Ireland and Israel are still scheduled to face each other at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Debrecen, Hungary on Sunday evening.