In an interview on the Israeli Basketball Association's website, Israeli player Dor Saar said before the game: "It's known that they are quite anti-semitic and it's no secret, and maybe that's why a strong game is expected.
"We have to show that we're better than them and win. We talk about it among ourselves. We know they don't love us and we will leave everything on the field always and in this game especially."
Basketball Ireland's statement prior to the start of the game read: "Basketball Ireland informed Fiba Europe yesterday that as a direct result of recent comments made by Israeli players and coaching staff - including inflammatory and wholly inaccurate accusations of anti-Semitism, published on official Israeli Federation channels - that our players will not be partaking in traditional pre-match arrangements with our upcoming opponents.
As far as I understand, you're confusing the reasons here.
Nothing that you say needs context is causally related, and no context other than that provided by others in this thread seems to really be needed
yeah, I think it is strangely twisted. It has nothing to do with the accusation of anti-semitism, it is just israel they don't like. They never wanted to shake the hands of the israeli team, and just used the player's comments as a reason.