Israel to close Irish embassy over ‘anti-Israel policies’

Israel will close its embassy in Dublin in light of “the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has said in a statement.

“It should be noted that in the past, Israel’s ambassador to Dublin was recalled following Ireland’s unilateral decision to recognise a ‘Palestinian state’,” the statement said.

“Last week, Ireland announced its support for South Africa’s legal action against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Israel of ‘genocide’,” it added.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has described the move as a “deeply regrettable decision” from the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a statement on X, Mr Harris said that he utterly rejected the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel.

“Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-International law,” Mr Harris said.

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.

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) December 15, 2024

On Wednesday, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin secured Government approval for Ireland to intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel.

The case was initiated following the launch of military operations in Gaza after the 7 October 2023 attack.

It concerns breaches of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in Gaza.

By filing a declaration of intervention, Ireland is not joining either side in the case.

Mr Martin proposed to intervene to promote a consistent interpretation of the Genocide Convention which prioritises the protection of civilian life, and to demonstrate Ireland’s strong commitment to the rule of law and international justice.

Earlier this year, the Israeli ambassador to Ireland, Dana Erlich, was recalled over the decision to recognise the State of Palestine.

The decision, announced in late May, meant the Government recognised Palestine as a sovereign and independent state, and agreed to establish full diplomatic relations between Dublin and Ramallah.

The recognition decision was reached in coordination with Spain and Norway.