Israel closes embassy in Ireland over ‘anti-Semitic rhetoric’

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has ordered the closure of the Israeli embassy in Ireland. The reason was “the Irish government’s extremely anti-Israel policy,” said the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. Ireland is one of the harshest critics of Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.

Ireland’s Foreign Minister Michael Martin had recently spoken of a “collective punishment of the Palestinian people through the intent and consequences of Israel’s military actions in Gaza”, in which, according to Palestinian information, almost 45,000 people have been killed so far.

All red lines have been crossed

Ireland, along with Spain, Slovenia and Norway, recognized Palestine as an independent state in the early summer. The country also recently sided with South Africa, which had sued Israel at the International Court of Justice for genocide, 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

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris rejected the allegations. He described Israel’s decision to close the embassy as deeply regrettable. “I strongly reject the claim that Ireland is anti-Israel,” Harris wrote on X. Ireland is for peace, human rights and international law.