In a post on X, Sa’ar specifically mentioned Ireland’s recognition of a Palestine state and its support for the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
“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 delegitimise and demonise the Jewish state. The Irish government recognized a ‘Palestinian state’ during attacks on Israel (a move praised by Hamas), attempted to redefine ‘genocide’ in international law to support baseless claims against Israel at the ICJ, backed politically motivated cases at the ICC, promoted anti-Israel measures within the EU, and fostered hostility toward Israel,” he said.
He also accused Ireland of failing to combat antisemitism within the country. “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.
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.
The Irish government recognized a “Palestinian…— Gideon Sa’ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) December 15, 2024
However, not everyone agrees with the decision of the Israeli government. Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid criticised the move, saying he believed that Israel’s embassies should precisely operate where there is opposition to the country.
On X, he wrote, “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.”
מר סער, מציע שלא תשתמש במילה ״בושה״, כי מי שבגד והונה כל מי שאי פעם היה שותף שלו אינו מבין את המושג.
לעניין עצמו: ישראל צריכה להחזיק שגרירויות דווקא במקומות שבהם יש עימותים חריפים עם הממשל, ושר חוץ שעוסק רק בכניעה ובריחה מעימותים לא עושה את תפקידו https://t.co/W7wH7Y7uin— יאיר לפיד – Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) December 15, 2024
Notably, Ireland has been vocal about its support for the Palestinians and often draws parallels between its struggle against British rule and the Palestinian cause. In May, Ireland was one of three European countries to formally recognise Palestine as a state. Additionally, it also supported an ICJ case accusing Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris reacted to the move, calling it ‘deeply regrettable’ while also rejecting the ‘anti-Israel’ notion.
“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 wrote 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. https://t.co/rDga5GpT3u
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) December 15, 2024
Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin stated that Ireland and Israel would continue to maintain diplomatic relations and that Dublin has no plans to close its embassy in Tel Aviv.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
First Published: Dec 16, 2024 12:29 PM IST
