President Michael D Higgins has said that it is a “deep slander” and “a very serious business” to describe the Irish people as anti-semitic because they disagree with the actions of the Israeli Prime Minister.
President Higgins said that Benjamin Netanyahu has breached “so many bits of international law and the sovereignty of three of his neighbours”.
“I think to suggest that because one criticises Prime Minister Netahyahu one is anti-semetic is such a gross defamation and slander”.
Referring to Israeli Ambassador Dana Erlich, he said that when he accepted her credentials, he initially put the remarks down to a lack of experience, but he “later realised the comments were part of a pattern to damage Ireland.”
President Higgins made his remarks at a credentials ceremony for Ambassador of the State of Palestine Jilan Abdaljamid and Ambassador of Italy Nicola Faganello.
He reiterated condemnation of the actions of Hamas on 7 October 2023, but said the response by Israel has resulted in the deaths of more than 45,000 people, including children, in Gaza.
All of the details of the tragic breaches of international law have informed the Irish position, the president said.
He added that the Irish psyche understands the words: dispossession, occupation and so on
Yesterday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Taoiseach Simon Harris of anti-semitism as he defended Israel’s decision to close its embassy in Dublin over Ireland’s policies.
“There is a difference between criticism and anti-semitism based on the delegitimisation and dehumanisation of Israel and double standards towards Israel,” the minister said in a statement.
He cited Ireland’s support for what he called “politicised” proceedings against Israeli leaders by the International Criminal Court as well as an action at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide over its campaign in Gaza.
“Ireland’s anti-Semitic Prime Minister Simon Harris said in an interview ‘Ireland is not anti-Israel but Ireland is absolutely anti the starvation of children’,” Mr Saar said.
He then asked: “Is Israel starving children?”
Mr Saar said Israel is working to enable humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and prevent civilian casualties while he said Hamas is looting supplies and using civilians as human shields.
A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said that he would “not be responding to personalised and false attacks and remains focused on the horrific war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza, standing up for human rights and international law, and reflecting the views of so many people across Ireland who are so concerned at the loss of innocent, civilian lives”.
Mr Harris rejected Israel’s criticism, calling the decision to close the embassy deeply regrettable and said that Ireland would always stand up for human rights and international law.
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said the Irish position towards Israel has not been motivated by anything other than respect for international humanitarian law and human rights.
