Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has challenged his players to 'win the fight' against Israel when the two teams meet in the Nations League, as fresh protests against the matches erupted in the Irish parliament.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is under pressure to boycott two fixtures, including a home match in Dublin on October 4.
Several pro-Palestinian politicians and Irish football figures have called on the association to withdraw from the matches because of Israel's conduct during the genocidal war in Gaza.
Last November, the FAI passed a motion calling on UEFA to immediately suspend Israel from international competitions, but the motion did not gain support from European football's governing body.
Fresh protests took place at the Dail (Irish parliament) on Wednesday over the matches.
In October last year, Icelandic coach Hallgrimsson was among those calling for a ban on Israel from international football tournaments.
Speaking ahead of a friendly match against Qatar in Dublin, he said: 'I have expressed my view on this issue and there is no need to repeat it. But from a football perspective, it is an obstacle I don't like, and it is unfair for the players to be in this situation, and we are also. But from a football perspective, I don't want us to be the bad guys. We are not the bad guys here.'
He added: 'I think the best answer for us is to just win this match, win this fight against them (Israel). That would be a perfect answer from my side. Other decisions are not made by us, but all the players want to represent the country and do their best for them, regardless of the opponent.'
Israel has played its World Cup qualifiers in Hungary and is expected to use a neutral venue for its Nations League match against Ireland on September 27.
Against a backdrop of strong public opposition in Ireland, particularly to the October 4 match in Dublin, there have been proposals to stage the game elsewhere. The FAI insisted in February that it had 'no other option' but to fulfill the two matches against Israel.
However, Hallgrimsson said: 'Clearly it would be a disadvantage football-wise if we don't get to play at home. We have played very well at home. Aviva (Lansdowne Road) is becoming a fortress for us, and moving the match would certainly reduce our chances. So I hope people can unite to support the players and we compete instead of protesting or doing anything damaging.'
