Israel will close it embassy in Ireland as Dublin backed South Africa’s genocide case against Tel Aviv at the International Court of Justice and recognized Palestine as a state.
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar on Sunday said that the embassy in Ireland would shut down due to the Irish government’s “double standards” and “extreme anti-Israel policy”.
In a post on microblogging site X, Sa’ar wrote, “Today, I have instructed the closure of Israel’s Embassy in Ireland. The actions, double standards, and antisemitic rhetoric of the Irish government against Israel are rooted in efforts to delegitimize and demonize the Jewish state.”
He further noted that Ireland recognized Palestine as a state during the attack on Israel, a move which was hailed by Hamas. Sa’ar said the Irish government tried to redefine ‘genocide’ in international law to back the “baseless claims” against Israel at ICJ. He also accused the country of promoting anti-Israel measures within the European Union, saying that they fostered hostility toward Tel Aviv.
“Notably, Ireland is one of the few European countries that has not adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism, and its government has failed to take effective measures to combat the surge of antisemitism within Ireland. Israel will focus its resources on strengthening bilateral relations with countries worldwide, according to priorities that also take into account the attitudes and actions of these states toward Israel,” Sa’ar added.
Move criticised
However, this closure move by the Israeli government has not been appreciated by the opposition leader and former prime minister Yair Lapid. He criticised the stance and said he believed that Israel’s embassies should precisely operate in the places where there is a clear opposition to the country.
“Mr Saar, I suggest you not use the word “shame,” because someone who betrayed and deceived everyone he was ever a partner with does not understand the concept. On the subject itself: Israel needs to maintain embassies precisely in places where there are acute conflicts with the government, and a foreign minister who is only concerned with surrender and escaping conflicts is not doing his job,” Lapid wrote in a post on X.
Notably, Ireland has been vocal about its support to Palestinians. The country often draws a parallel between its struggle against the centuries-long British rule and Palestinian cause.
Earlier in May, Ireland was among the three European countries to formally recognize Palestine as a state.
The Irish “government recognizes Palestine as a sovereign and independent state and agreed to establish full diplomatic relations between Dublin and Ramallah”, the country’s official statement read.
Irish prime minister Simon Harris, at the time, said, “This decision of Ireland is about keeping hope alive. It is about believing that a two-state solution is the only way for Israel and Palestine to live side by side in peace and security.”
He called on Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “listen to the world and stop the humanitarian catastrophe we are seeing in Gaza”.
Additionally, Dublin also supported the genocide case South Africa brought against Israel at the ICJ. Tel Aviv is accused of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Ireland rejects ‘anti-Israel’ stance
Harris reacted to Netanyahu government’s decision and termed it as “deeply regrettable”, while also dismissing the “anti-Israel” notion.
In a post on X, “This is a deeply regrettable decision from the Netanyahu government. I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law.”
He further said that Dublin will continue to voice its concerns for human rights. “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,” Harris added.
Irish foreign minister Michael Martin meanwhile said that Ireland and Israel would continue to maintain diplomatic relations, saying that Dublin has no plans to close its embassy in Tel Aviv.
(with inputs from agencies)