Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has ordered the closure of the Israeli embassy in Ireland “in light of the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government,” the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem said on Sunday.
Ireland is among the fiercest critics of Israel’s conflict in the Gaza Strip, which Palestinian sources say has killed almost 45,000 people.
Irish Foreign Minister Michel Martin recently spoke of “collective punishment of the Palestinian people through the intent and impact of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.”
Earlier this year, Ireland, along with Spain, Slovenia and Norway, recognized Palestine as an independent state.
In addition, Ireland is poised to intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, urging the Court to further expand the definition of the term genocide.
“The actions and anti-Semitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state, along with double standards,” Saar said, according to the ministry. “Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel.”
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris rejected the allegations. He called Israel’s decision to close the embassy “very regrettable.”
“I strongly reject the claim that Ireland is anti-Israel,” Harris wrote on Platform X. “Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law.”
