Israel to Close Dublin Embassy Due to “Extreme Anti-Israel Policies”
Israel announced on Sunday that it would close its embassy in Dublin due to the Irish government’s “extreme anti-Israel policies”, including recognition of a Palestinian state and support for international legal action against its war in Gaza.
The decision comes after Israel recalled its ambassador in May following Ireland’s decision on a Palestinian state, and was further angered last week when Dublin backed South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide.
“The decision to close Israel’s embassy in Dublin was made in light of the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government,” said Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. “Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel.”
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris described the decision as “deeply regrettable” and said his nation would always stand up for human rights and international law. “I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-International law,” he said.
Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said that while diplomatic relations would be maintained, there were no plans to close Ireland’s embassy in Israel. Martin had previously stated that while it was for the ICJ to decide whether genocide is being committed, he wanted to be clear that Palestinian militant group Hamas’ attack on Israel and the ensuing assault in Gaza “represents the blatant violation of international humanitarian law on a mass scale”.
In related news, Israel announced the establishment of an Israeli embassy in Moldova.
