Sir, – The debate about the Ireland vs Israel football match is quite disturbing. It is argued by some, quite reasonably, that sport and politics should be kept separate. But what has been happening in Palestine (and now Lebanon) is not simply “politics” – it is a human rights crime. Israel is not a normal, rational, peace-loving nation. It is a rogue state committing genocide against the Palestinian people. And they are using sporting and cultural events such as the Uefa Nations League and Eurovision Song Contest to present themselves as a normal country and society.Uefa should never have allowed Israel participate in this league. The FAI have been placed in an impossible situation where they don’t want to play, but are forced to. Normally governments should not have to intervene in the administration of national sporting or cultural organisations. But this crisis has gone too far and Government must intervene. The Department of Justice and Department of Foreign Affairs can step forward here and refuse to allow the Israeli team personnel to enter Ireland. If the FAI decide to play the game in some neutral country then that is their decision. But the Irish Government must intervene to stop the game being played in Ireland. – Yours, etc,ART Ó LAOGHAIRE,Bray, Co Wicklow.