Israel’s Foreign Minister has further intensified the country’s diplomatic fallout with the Republic of Ireland by calling Taoiseach Simon Harris “anti-Semitic”.
This comes after Israel’s decision to close its embassy in Dublin.
Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that Gideon Saar issued a statement citing Irish support for proceedings against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICJ).
“Last night the anti-Semitic Prime Minister of Ireland, Simon Harris, said in an interview: ‘Ireland is not anti-Israel, but Ireland is absolutely against child starvation,’” Saar said.
He asked, “Is Israel hungry children?” and further said his country was working to ensure humanitarian aid reached Gaza.
A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said on Monday evening that Harris “will not respond to personal and false attacks”.
They added that he “remains focused on the horrific war crimes being committed in Gaza, standing up for human rights and international law and reflecting the views of so many people across Ireland who are so concerned about the loss of innocent civilian lives.” .
‘Difficult decision’
Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTÉ earlier on Monday, Israel’s ambassador to Ireland said closing the embassy was a “difficult decision” for her country.
Dana Erlich went on to say that Ireland has “taken a more extreme position than any other country” against Israel.
Simon Harris said he had no regrets about the Irish government’s intervention in the International Court of Justice case involving Israel.
Simon Harris said he was “very proud of the decision Ireland has made” [PA Media]
Ireland had previously expressed support for South Africa’s legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice, saying it would ask the court to “broaden its interpretation of what constitutes the commission of genocide by a state.”
Harris has also rejected that Ireland is anti-Israel.
However, speaking on RTÉ News at One, Erlich said of Ireland’s application to the ICJ: “This is an abuse of the international multilateral system by South Africa. We were sorry that Ireland joined in, but this involves an accumulation of steps, rhetoric and rhetoric. and initiatives that we have seen Ireland try to promote over the past year.
“Unfortunately, over the past year we have seen Ireland put in an extreme position that no other country has put itself in.
‘In most countries we have difficult conversations and disagreements – we accept criticism, but in Ireland this has crossed that line.
“We see Ireland in a more extreme position than any other country.”
Erlich said she heard concerns from the Jewish and Israeli communities in Ireland.
“We address these concerns to the Irish government, the government that must ensure that they are safe, that there is a future for the Jewish community in Ireland,” she said.
“These guarantees must be given.”
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said the Irish government must “stand firm” in its position. [PA Media]
The Taoiseach said his “priority is to shine a spotlight on what is happening in the Middle East, and we cannot allow anything to distract from what is happening”.
He said that while he regretted the actions of the Israeli government regarding the closure of the embassy, he stressed the importance of diplomatic relations and that Ireland would continue to engage with Israel.
“I am very proud of the decision Ireland has taken, we are in favor of human rights and international law,” he added.
Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said the Irish government must “stand firm” on its position on Israel and Gaza.
McDonald described Israel’s move over its embassy in Dublin as an attempt to test the will of the Irish government.
“We need to work with others to put as much pressure on the world as possible [Benjamin] Netanyahu regime,” she said.
Israel has said it will close its embassy in Dublin after accusing Ireland of “crossing every red line” [PA]
‘A symbolic blow’
The chairman of the Jewish Representative of Ireland said he was “deeply concerned” about the deterioration of relations between Ireland and Israel.
Chairman Maurice Cohen said the closure of the Israeli embassy has caused unrest for the Israeli people in Ireland.
He said the Irish government’s intervention in the International Court of Justice risks “oversimplifying a very complex and tragic conflict, unfairly isolating Israel and undermining the integrity of the term ‘genocide’.”
Mr Cohen said that for the Jewish community in Ireland “the closure of the embassy represents not only a symbolic blow, but also a practical disadvantage”.
“Consular services provided by the embassy are vital for those maintaining ties to family, culture and heritage in Israel,” he added.
“The loss of this resource will leave many feeling unsupported and hurt.
“Closing the embassy risks alienating a significant part of Irish society and sends the message that dialogue is being replaced by withdrawal.”
He said the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland reaffirmed its commitment to peace and the protection of innocent lives “on all sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” while supporting Israel’s right to defend itself against “terrorism and existential threats.” .
Mr Cohen called on both the Irish and Israeli governments to find ways to rebuild trust and ensure avenues for diplomatic engagement remain open.
‘Provocation after provocation’
Daniel Epstein-O’Dowd, of the Ireland Israel Alliance, told BBC News NI that it was a “predictable” decision by Israel to close its embassy in Dublin and that “after October 7 there has just been provocation after provocation by the Irish government. “.
He said it is a “highly symbolic move by Israel which shows that ultimately they see no value in maintaining any diplomatic presence” in the Republic of Ireland.
“There are a lot of Israelis in the tech industry here in Dublin who are, to be honest, a bit stranded and isolated. They feel that the Israeli embassy was very much there for them, especially in the dark days immediately after October 7. shone through in the sense of that community,” he added.
“So I guess it’s wondering where do they go next?
“I don’t think that detail has been released yet, but I think ultimately it will be somewhere other than Ireland. It’s a very sad day for anyone in Ireland or Israel.”
Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Micheál Martin said there are no plans to close the embassy in Israel.
On October 7 last year, Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
In retaliation, Israel launched a large-scale operation in the Gaza Strip with the aim of eliminating Hamas.
So far, at least 44,875 people have been killed and more than 100,000 injured – mostly civilians, the Hamas-led Health Ministry says. The UN considers these figures to be reliable.
