Actions of Irish footballers were measured but impactful

Sir, – It is most regrettable that Anti-Defamation League chief executive Jonathan Greenblatt should describe the actions of Ireland’s footballers before their Nations League matches against Israel as “shameful”. Having decided that the two fixtures had to be played, the FAI made a call on what would be the most appropriate form of protest against the continuing genocide in Gaza and the attacks by illegal settlers on Palestinian homes on the West Bank . Given the enormity of the issue, the players’ actions were impactful but measured. To describe them as “anti-Semitic” and harmful to the Jewish community in Ireland is a denial of the wider truth – wrong and yes, even shameful. – Yours etc, MICHAEL CULLEN, Sandycove, Co Dublin