Martin Leahy shares new song 'Don't Play' in protest against Ireland v Israel fixture

Cork musician and activist Martin Leahy has shared his new song, 'Don't Play', in protest against the Ireland V Israel UEFA Nations League fixture at the Aviva Stadium on October 4.

Leahy has rewritten 'Put 'Em Under Pressure', the unofficial anthem from the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

"I have rewritten the soccer anthem 'Put 'Em Under Pressure', said Leahy online, "This one's for humanity."

The song features Leen Maarouf, a Palestinian singer and poet and Brian Kerr, former Republic of Ireland football manager.

Pressure has grown for a boycott of the fixtures. Amnesty International has repeatedly condemned Israel and its actions, specifically accusing the Israeli government of war crimes, the crime of apartheid, and genocide in Gaza.

“Israel’s impunity can no longer be tolerated, and people everywhere must act in accordance with their conscience and stand up for human rights,” they stated.

Irish Sport For Palestine has called for a boycott, citing what it describes as "clear and ongoing serious breaches of UEFA and FIFA statutes regarding Israeli teams playing on occupied Palestinian lands" and "a brutal system of apartheid and genocide, both of which are accepted by the Irish government".

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirmed the games will go ahead, with chief executive David Courell saying the governing body had "no choice" and could face "serious consequences" if it pulled out of the games.

Leahy regularly performs at weekly rallies and marches for Palestine in Cork City. He has written and released protest songs with the people of Palestine, including 'We Remember' where Gaza native Nassar Al Swirki reads the names of destroyed and eradicated Palestinian villages, and 'You Will Never Bury Palestine' with Maarouf, who rewrote Israel's 2024 Eurovision entry song.

In March this year, Leahy completed his 200th and final housing crisis gig at Leinster House. He travelled from Cork to Dublin every week to protest outside Dáil Éireann, singing his song, 'Everyone Should Have A Home'.