Fine Gael leader called it a ‘distraction’ as ambassador Dana Erlich accused of ‘mischief-making’
Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs are satisfied there is no threat to foreign direct investment (FDI) as a result of Ireland’s step, despite sabre-rattling from the Israeli ambassador yesterday.
Dana Erlich said Ireland’s move to recognise a Palestinian state is worrying Israeli investors in the Irish tech sector.
However, sources described the ambassador’s comments as “mischief-making,” and said the Government is satisfied there had been no economic threats or warnings from the US.
It comes as the EU is looking at possible sanctions for Israel if it does not comply with an order from the International Court of Justice.
Taoiseach Simon Harris dismissed as “a distraction” the warning from Ms Erlich, now recalled to Jerusalem, that the move sends the wrong message about Ireland as a tech hub and will make Israeli investors in Ireland think again.
The assessment of officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs is that the recognition of Palestine is being seen as a diplomatic move, although repercussions are expected in Irish-Israeli trade, which is worth around €4bn each way.
Ireland’s strategic investment fund (ISIF) has already disinvested from six Israeli companies in the financial sector and some retaliation is expected.
Government officials said they would “completely reject” any suggestion that Palestinian State recognition was anti-Israeli, calling it a mischaracterisation.
Simon Harris dismisses economic threats from recalled Israeli Ambassador to Ireland as ‘a distraction’
A government source said the focus is diplomacy, “core issues” and not “the surrounding noise”.
“Our approach is to be consistent,” the source said, pointing to the Government calling out international law breaches and voicing different views on policies from Israel or the US.
Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said yesterday he believes Ireland will continue to attract tech companies to work and set up here.
“I’m confident that those who are moving here and those who are here, we will keep here, and we will continue to attract here,” he said.
“Many of these large employers also have many people leading them, managing them and working in them, who also have other strong views regarding what is happening in the Middle East,” the minister told RTÉ’s Drive Time programme.
Some Israeli and Jewish commentators around the world have described individual, corporate, academic and government responses to the war in Gaza as antisemitism. Asked if he believed Ms Erlich was threatening Ireland, Mr Harris said: “The ambassador can say what the ambassador wishes. This is a country that complies with diplomatic norms and treats ambassadors with respect.
“It certainly doesn’t parade ambassadors in front of television cameras where videos are played with horrific films. We will continue to treat all ambassadors with respect.”
Mr Harris made reference to a missile attack on Rafah in which 45 people were reportedly killed at a camp for displaced people. It followed a Hamas rocket attack on Tel Aviv in which no injuries were reported.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is now on a wanted list at the International Criminal Court, said the Rafah attack was a “tragic mishap”.
The Palestinian flag will fly at Leinster House today as formal recognition is agreed at Cabinet. There will be none flying at Government Buildings. The Dáil will hear statements on the historic move this afternoon.
In a move likely to further annoy Israel, the current Irish representative to Palestine will be upgraded to an official ambassador, while the Palestinian Mission in Ireland will be made an embassy.
The Irish representative office in Ramallah will also be made an official embassy.
A Palestinian ambassador to Ireland will also be appointed and present their credentials to President Michael D Higgins in the coming weeks, to be followed by a reception with other new envoys at Iveagh House.
French president Emmanuel Macron said he was “outraged” by the Israeli strikes “that have killed many displaced persons”. “These operations must stop. There are no safe areas in Rafah for Palestinian civilians,” he said.
Speaking about the overall situation in the Middle East, Mr Harris said yesterday: “I was very clear last week when we announced with Norway and Spain that we had decided to recognise the state of Palestine because we believe in a two-state solution.
“We believe in the state of Israel and in the state of Palestine, living side by side in peace and stability. And we believe it at a time when others are seeking to bomb that hope to oblivion.
“And quite frankly, I think many people in Israel, many people in Palestine and the world over are able to differentiate between the people of Israel and the Netanyahu government. I, certainly, am able to differentiate between the two, just like we can differentiate between right and wrong.
“I think what should concern the entire world are the barbaric, horrific scenes in Rafah, where a displaced-persons centre was attacked.
“That is the humanitarian catastrophe that is unfolding in the Middle East. I don’t think anybody fully comprehends the scale of it.”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said EU foreign ministers have for the first time discussed the prospect of sanctions against Israel if it does not comply with an order from the International Court of Justice.
He suggested Ireland would support such an approach.
“Certainly, if compliance [with Friday’s ICJ ruling] isn’t forthcoming, then we have to consider all options,” he said.
The Taoiseach also said EU sanctions against Israel are not “off the table”.