Israel has ordered the closure of its embassy in Dublin, citing “extreme” anti-Israel policies and plans for a new embassy elsewhere.
The move comes in the wake of diplomatic tension between the countries over Ireland’s recognition of Palestinian statehood and its participation in the South African lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice.
An official statement from the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs provided to The Irish Times stated: “The decision to close the Israeli embassy in Dublin was made in light of the extreme anti-Israel policy of the Irish government.
“As you may recall, the Israeli ambassador in Dublin was returned to Israel at the time following Ireland’s decision to unilaterally recognise a ‘Palestinian state’.”
An official at the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs confirmed to The Irish Times that no other Israeli embassies in EU states or in Norway, which also recognised a Palestinian state alongside Ireland and Spain in May 2024, would be closed down.
Taoiseach Simon Harris described the decision as “regrettable” and denied that the Irish Government has anti-Israeli policies, describing its stance as “pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law”.
Micheál Martin, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, also criticised the decision and said Ireland had no plans to close its own embassy in Israel.
The Israeli foreign ministry’s statement further noted Ireland’s decision on December 11th to join the South African lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICJ), which accuses Israel of genocide.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in the statement: “The anti-Semitic actions and rhetoric that Ireland is taking against Israel are based on delegitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state and on double standards.”
He also cited a policy of investing in relations with countries based on their attitude towards Israel.
“There are countries that are interested in strengthening their ties with Israel and do not yet have an Israeli embassy,” he said.
In the same statement announcing plans to close the Israeli embassy in Dublin the Israeli foreign ministry said it plans to open a new embassy in Moldova in 2025.
According to the ministry’s official statement, “relations between Israel and Moldova are friendly and both countries are interested in expanding and deepening them. Moldova already has an embassy in Israel and the time has come for Israel to have an embassy in Moldova.”
Mr Harris described the move by Binyamin Netanyahu’s government as “deeply regrettable”.
“I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law,” he 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.”
Mr Martin received formal approval to to join South Africa’s ICJ case during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
The case seeks a ruling by the court that Israel is in breach of the Genocide Convention, an international treaty that obliges states to act to prevent genocide where it is happening.
Reacting to Israel’s decision to close its Dublin embassy, Mr Martin said there are no plans to close Ireland’s Embassy in Israel, which is “carrying out important work”.
“I believe firmly in the importance of maintaining diplomatic channels of communication,” Mr Martin said, adding that Ireland’s position on the conflict has “always been guided by the principles of international law and the obligation on all states to adhere to international humanitarian law”.
“This has been the case with regard to our response to the terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel on October 7th, 2023, and to the conduct by Israel of its military operations since then,” Mr Martin said.
“The continuation of the war in Gaza and the loss of innocent lives is simply unacceptable and contravenes international law. It represents the collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza.”
“Ireland and Israel will continue to maintain diplomatic relations. Inherent in that is the right to agree and disagree on fundamental points.”
