Israel announced it would close its embassy in Ireland on Sunday after the European country recognized Palestine as a sovereign nation and other actions that Israel said promoted “anti-Semitic rhetoric.”
“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. Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel,” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said in a statement.
“Israel will invest its resources in promoting bilateral relations with countries around the world, according to priorities that also take into account the attitudes and actions of these states towards Israel,” he added.
The Irish Prime Minister rejected the resignation and declared that his country was a peaceful nation.
“Ireland wants a two-state solution and wants Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security,” Prime Minister Simon Harris wrote in a post on X.
The comments follow Ireland’s decision to support South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice for crimes against humanity.
“Ireland will always stand up for human rights and international law. Nothing will distract from that,” Harris added.
Yair Lapid, the Israeli opposition leader, also condemned the Israeli action, calling it a police action.
“The decision to close the Israeli embassy in Ireland is a victory for anti-Semitism and anti-Israel organizations,” he wrote on X.
“The way to deal with criticism is not to run away, but to stay and fight!”
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