While it's always commendable to oppose tyranny and opression, why weren't we kicking up a big aul' fuss when we played the Nigerians, who, let us be clear, are ruled by a bunch of evil, murdering b@stards? What about the Saudis, with their apalling human rights record and disregard for democratic process and unimaginable greed?
What I worry about is that Ireland is perhaps infected with very deeply ingrained anti semitism. It's a Catholic thing, in which the Jews are blamed for the death of Christ, rather than the collective sin and guilt of mankind. I have heard so many discussions on the Palestinian issue that ended up with "And don't forget they killed our Lord too".
And before any of you start accusing me of being some some Zionist pro-Bush lunatic, yes, I do have a Palestinian flag, thank you very much.
Can I also plead with everyone to go and read the excellent graphic novel "Palestine" by Joe Sacco. Can't reccomend it enough.
read about it here