(Reuters) – Israel said on Sunday it would close its embassy in Dublin due to the Irish government's “extremist anti-Israel policies” including recognition of a Palestinian state and support for international legal action against its war in Gaza.
Israel recalled its ambassador after Ireland's decision to establish a Palestinian state last May, and its anger increased last week when Dublin supported South Africa's case before the International Court of Justice, which accuses Israel of committing genocide.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, “The decision to close the Israeli embassy in Dublin was taken in light of the extremist anti-Israel policies pursued by the Irish government.”
“The anti-Semitic actions and rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state, along with double standards,” Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in the statement. “Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel.”
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said that the decision is very unfortunate and that his country will always defend human rights and international law.
He said in a post on the “X” website: “I completely reject the assertion that Ireland is hostile to Israel. Ireland is supportive of peace, human rights and international law.”
He added, “Ireland wants a two-state solution and for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security.”
Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin said that the two countries will maintain diplomatic relations, and there are no plans to close the Irish embassy in Israel.
Martin said in March that although the International Court of Justice, also known as the World Court, decides whether there has been genocide, he wanted to make clear that the October 7 attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel and the What ensued on its territory, the Gaza stronghold, “represents a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law on a massive scale.”
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement also announced the establishment of an Israeli embassy in Moldova.
