The Fair Play Campaign sent a small delegation to Belfast last week to show support for Northern Ireland Friends of Israel. NIFI were hosting a number of visitors to support the Israeli national football side in its match against Northern Ireland.

First stop was the Stormont estate, home of the Northern Irish parliament. We joined over 50 Israel supporters and were given a very interesting historical and political tour of the building by Northern Irish Assemblymen Robin Newton and Lord Browne.

The delegation on the steps of Stormont, with Robin Newton MLA, Lord Wallace MLA, and NIFI co-Chair Stephen Jaffe.

While at Stormont, Fair Play board member Jeremy Newmark gave interviews to BBC local radio and television about demands by anti-Israel protesters to boycott the game. There had been a small protest by boycotters the previous day outside the Irish FA.

In the afternoon, members of the Fair Play delegation went to the friendly supporters match between NIFI and Northern Ireland football supporters official team. The NIFI side – wearing a kit sponsored by the UJIA and Maccabi GB – beat the NI supporters 6-4 in a thrilling end-to-end game watched by local football fans.

The NIFI team

Some members of the Fair Play delegation, including Jerry Lewis (Vice-President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews) and Jeremy Newmark (Chief Executive of the Jewish Leadership Council), met with the local Jewish communal leadership to learn firsthand about Northern Ireland Jewry and share ideas and suggestions for the future.

Then it was onto the evening and the big game – Israel vs. Northern Ireland football. The game took place at Windsor Park stadium, home of local team Linfield FC as well as the national side.

The Israeli national team at Windsor Park, with the Israeli flag flying over the football ground.

Joined by approximately a hundred Israel supporters and lots of blue and white flags, we cheered on the Israeli players as they put in a good performance to ensure a 1-1 tie at the end of the 90 minutes.

The game was conducted in good spirits by players and fans alike. The Northern Irish fans were extremely welcoming, many coming over to our stand at half time to express support for Israel and genuine warmth and friendship, whilst others waved (and wore!) flags which combined the Northern Ireland emblem with the Israeli flag.

The Northern Ireland banner combined with the Israeli flag

And despite the previous day’s noise, there was ultimately no anti-Israel protest at the game and no disruption – everything went smoothly. All in all, it was a great day to be a British Zionist football fan. Our hosts were extremely welcoming. Congratulations go to NIFI for organising such a good programme of events.