Palestinian women's team 'playing for survival' despite tear gas attacks
On 15 May 2024, crowds wearing red, black, white and green filled the stands of Dalymount Park as the Palestinian women's national football team took on Bohemians.
The game was no ordinary fixture as it marked the first time that the Palestinian XI played an away match in Europe.
Sealing a 2-1 victory against their Irish counterparts that night, the air was rife with hope for a better future.
However, Gaza remains gripped by the conflict with Israel.
Israel's offensive has killed approximately 53,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to figures from the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, which the United Nations considers reliable.
In these desperate times, sport has continued to demonstrate its place as an outlet for cultural and national unity.
Canadian-born Charlotte Phillips plays as a goalkeeper for the national team, eligible through her maternal grandparents, who both hail from Palestine.
"It's the country I'm the most connected with", she explained.
"I think it's very important to me to represent them because that passion has been instilled in me since I was a child, so to be able to represent them is a dream come true."
Palestine's friendly against Bohemians was a milestone for Phillips' grandparents, who were proud onlookers as she sported their national team jersey.
"For them to see me play for a country that people like to say doesn't exist is a dream come true for them.
"I was talking to them and they said it makes it all worth it. All the hardships they've had to deal with in their life, it makes it worth it for them because they get to see us representing the country we're so proud of."
Though Phillips herself is based in Canada, the plight faced by her team-mates in Palestine is felt by everyone involved. Since 2023, the Palestinian leagues have ceased play and even hosting national training camps can be a challenge.
Phillips recounts a story from her counterparts living in Palestine that shows not even sport is safe from the ongoing war.
"Even training for the national team, which we have to have in order to prepare for our tournaments, my team-mates were tear gassed a couple of months ago simply just for training.
"Their field is isolated so it was meant to hit them. Our women's team, the senior women's team, my team-mates and my coaches were all tear gassed and had to suspend the camp."
A player who wishes to remain anonymous for her safety was present when the tear-gassing took place.
"The tear gas completely disrupted our training," she told RTÉ Sport.
"Several players experienced eye irritation, coughing, shortness of breath. It created an atmosphere of fear and not only impacted our physical preparation but also affected team focus."
She went on: "My message to the international community is that tear gas should never be used on these civilians. Athletes should not be put in danger while preparing to represent their teams or countries.
"We need stronger protection and accountability to prevent these kinds of dangers from affecting people's safety and well-being."
Despite the dire circumstances surrounding them at home, the international community has rallied behind the team.
In March, the Palestinian team travelled to Norway for a friendly match against Valerenga, a side in the top flight of Norwegian women's football. While they lost 4-0, Phillips believes that these friendlies, hosted by countries such as Ireland and Norway, can help increase exposure for Palestinian women's football.
"You keep reliving it in your head because that support is unlike any other and the exposure it has granted us has been wonderful," Phillips said of Palestine's friendly in Ireland.
"So many of my team-mates now, not necessarily just because of Ireland, because obviously it goes to dedication and their hard work, are now playing professionally and I don't think it's a coincidence that that exposure from Ireland helped us get that."
For now, the Palestinian team continues to demonstrate resilience and are keen to bring as many wins as possible back home.
On the importance of playing for Palestine in the future, Phillips said, "We play for something much bigger than ourselves, even bigger than women's football as a whole. I think we're playing for our survival."
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