New Delhi: Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar has announced that the country’s Dublin embassy would be closed, citing the “actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel.” The move has come after Ireland announced that it would support a petition at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza.
Ireland has been among the foremost European critics of Israel’s strikes on Gaza. Israel’s attacks have killed almost 45,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and caused widespread destruction across the besieged territory.
Israel has also cited the Irish government’s decision to recognise Palestinian statehood as one reason for the embassy’s closure, in addition to its ICJ intervention. The Irish foreign ministry said it was asking the ICJ to “broaden its interpretation of what constitutes the commission of genocide by a state.”
“It should be noted that in the past, Israel’s ambassador to Dublin was recalled following Ireland’s unilateral decision to recognise a ‘Palestinian state.’
“Last week, Ireland announced its support for South Africa’s legal action against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of ‘genocide,'” Saar’s statement said, according to a DW report.
“The actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state, along with double standards,” the foreign minister added. “Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel.”
Saar said Israel would divert resources to invest in its relations with other countries, and on Sunday announced the opening of an embassy in Moldova.
This year Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and Norway all formally recognised Palestinian statehood.
‘Deeply regrettable’
Irish taoiseach Simon Harris described the move from the government of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “deeply regrettable decision.”
Ireland wants a two state solution and for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security. Ireland will always speak up for human rights and international law. Nothing will distract from that.
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) December 15, 2024
“I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-International law,” Harris wrote on X.
“Ireland wants a two-state solution and for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security. Ireland will always speak up for human rights and international law. Nothing will distract from that.”
Irish foreign minister Micheal Martin said there were no plans for Ireland to close its embassy in Israel, adding that it was carrying out important work, DW reported.
“Ireland and Israel will continue to maintain diplomatic relations,” said Martin. “Inherent in that is the right to agree and disagree on fundamental points.”