Politics Israel closes embassy in Ireland - "anti-Semitic rhetoric"
Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has ordered the closure of the Israeli embassy in Ireland. The reason is "the extremely anti-Israeli policy of the Irish government", the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem announced.
15.12.2024, 14:15
15.12.2024, 15:16
SDA
Ireland is one of the harshest critics of Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. Ireland's Foreign Minister Micheál Martin recently spoke of a "collective punishment of the Palestinian people by the intention and effects of Israel's military actions in Gaza", in which, according to Palestinian figures, almost 45,000 people have been killed so far.
Alongside Spain, Slovenia and Norway, Ireland recognized Palestine as an independent state in early summer. The country also recently sided with South Africa, which had sued Israel for genocide at the International Court of Justice, and wanted to ask the court to expand the definition of genocide.
"Ireland's actions and anti-Semitic rhetoric against Israel are based on the delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state and on double standards," Saar said, according to the ministry. "Ireland has crossed all red lines in its relations with Israel."
Reaction from Ireland
Ireland's head of government Simon Harris rejected the accusations. He described Israel's decision to close the embassy as deeply regrettable. "I strongly reject the allegation that Ireland is anti-Israel," Harris wrote on Platform X. Ireland is in favor of peace, human rights and international law.
