Israel is to close its embassy in Dublin, with the country’s foreign ministry citing the “extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish Government”.
In a statement, Israeli foreign affairs minister Gideon Saar confirmed the plan to close the Dublin embassy, months after Israel recalled their ambassador Dana Erlich.
“The anti-Semitic actions and rhetoric that Ireland is taking against Israel are based on delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state and on double standards,” Mr Saar said.
He said that Ireland has crossed “all red lines in its relationship with Israel”, citing the Government’s decision to join South Africa’s genocide case as a breaking point.
“Israel will invest its resources in advancing bilateral relations with countries worldwide according to priorities that also take into account the attitudes and actions of these states toward Israel.”
The Israeli government said that alongside the closure of the Irish embassy, there will be an embassy opened in Moldova.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said that he was “deeply disappointed” by the decision of the Netanyahu government to close the embassy in Dublin.
“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,” Mr Harris said.
“Nothing will distract from that.”
The Taoiseach said that Ireland’s foreign policy is founded on “deep commitment to dialogue and to the peaceful resolution of disputes”.
“Keeping channels open has never been more important so that we can better understand each other’s positions, even when we disagree.”
Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs minister Micheál Martin said that there were no plans to close Ireland’s embassy in Tel Aviv.
“I believe firmly in the importance of maintaining diplomatic channels of communication and regret that this decision has been taken,” Mr Martin said.
“Ireland’s position on the conflict in the Middle East has always been guided by the principles of international law and the obligation on all States to adhere to international humanitarian law.”
He said that this guided Ireland’s response to the Hamas attack on October 7 and all of Israel’s responses in Gaza since.
It represents the collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza,” Mr Martin said.
“Ireland and Israel will continue to maintain diplomatic relations. Inherent in that is the right to agree and disagree on fundamental points.”
Ms Erlich was withdrawn from the Israeli embassy in Dublin following the government’s decision to formally recognise a Palestinian state.
In recent days, the Cabinet confirmed its intention to intervene in South Africa’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) genocide case against Israel.
Ireland’s intervention is to broaden the interpretation of what constitutes genocide, with Mr Martin saying that he was “concerned” over the current interpretation.
He said: “There has been a collective punishment of the Palestinian people through the intent and impact of military actions of Israel in Gaza, leaving 44,000 dead and millions of civilians displaced.
“We are concerned that a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimised.”
