Mary Lou McDonald hits out at Robbie Keane for continuing to manage an Israeli team

Keane came in for criticism when he initially joined Maccabi Tel Aviv earlier this year. Picture: Ariel Schalit/AP

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has condemned Irish soccer legend Robbie Keane for continuing to manage an Israeli team, stating that "sport and genocide shouldn't mix".

Mr Keane, who fled Israel in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack, was mobbed by fans when he returned to Tel Aviv last week after his team's success in the Europa Conference League.

The Sinn Féin president has now hit out at the former Republic of Ireland captain, claiming that he and other leaders in sport should be using their influence for good.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Ms McDonald also said Israel should "face consequences" for its actions in Gaza, which she described as genocide.

"Thousands of people have been slaughtered, thousands of children, whole families wiped out. 

"Whole neighborhoods razed to the ground and Netanyahu doesn't care who knows, he's intent on literally levelling Gaza."

Mr Keane came in for criticism when he initially joined Maccabi Tel Aviv earlier this year, but at the time said he was focused on football and not politics.

Asked if Mr Keane has made the right decision in continuing to coach the team, Ms McDonald said: "No, I don't think he has and I know some people say sport and politics shouldn't mix, but I would say sport and genocide shouldn't mix.

"I think sport should be a force for good, for human capacity and human excellence and enjoyment and participation. I have a real problem with sport when it is under the remit of an apartheid regime and where genocide is being committed.

"I know lots and lots of sportspeople in Ireland and beyond have taken an incredibly firm stand on the Palestinian question, just as lots of sporting people did - and I'm thinking our rugby team, rugby players in particular - in respect of apartheid South Africa.

"I think leaders have to lead in times like this and I think sporting people, sporting heroes, have such an influence and such a reach. So I would encourage everybody of influence to make the right calls and the right choices," she said.

Yesterday, Israeli forces raided one of the last functioning hospitals in Gaza's north and bombarded the south with airstrikes that killed at least 28 Palestinians, pressing ahead with their offensive with renewed backing from the US, despite rising international alarm.

The air and ground war, launched in response to Hamas's October 7 attack in Israel, has killed nearly 20,000 Palestinians, displaced some 1.9 million people, and demolished much of northern Gaza.

Ms McDonald said she is "relieved" that the Government's stance on Israel has moved on significantly, with Leo Varadkar recently urging his EU counterparts to call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

Earlier in the conflict, Sinn Féin was at odds with the government over its stance on expelling the Israeli ambassador but Ms McDonald says now is the time for all leaders across the world to take a united approach to condemn Israel.

She said work around the recognition of the State of Palestine, which was agreed by the Oireachtas, must proceed along with the Occupied Territories Bill.

Meanwhile, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said his officials continue to work "very hard" to assist a small number of Irish remaining in Gaza, but added that Israel has denied exit to some.

"Originally, we were told very clearly by the Israeli authorities and by the Egyptian authorities, that, only Irish citizens would be allowed out. We then pressed for dependents of Irish citizens, particularly children who may not have passports, and indeed spouses who may not have passports, and we were successful in getting people out."

Mr Martin said Israel has not provided a reason for denying some Irish citizens, including Zak Hania, the right to flee.

He added: "We needed an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, and we need to allow people the mobility to leave Gaza. So we'll continue to press for that."