Israeli Foreign Minister calls Irish Prime Minister ‘anti-Semitic’

Israel’s foreign minister has called Taoiseach Simon Harris an “anti-Semite”, further escalating a diplomatic spat with the Republic of Ireland.

This follows Israel’s decision to close its embassy in Dublin.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that Gideon Searle referred to Ireland’s support for proceedings against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICJ) in a statement.

“Last night, Ireland’s anti-Semitic Prime Minister Simon Harris said in an interview that ‘Ireland is not anti-Israel, but Ireland is absolutely against child hunger,'” Searle said. Ta.

He asked, “Is Israel starving its children?” He continued that his country is working to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.

A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said on Monday night that Mr Harris “will not respond to false and personalized attacks”.

He added: “We continue to highlight the horrific war crimes being committed in Gaza, and voice the voices of so many people across Ireland who stand up for human rights and international law and are concerned about the loss of innocent civilian life.” It reflects that,” he added.

Israel’s ambassador to Ireland said in an interview with Irish broadcaster RTE early on Monday that closing the embassy was a “difficult decision” for his country.

Dana Ehrlich went on to say that Ireland has taken a “more extreme stance than any other country” towards Israel.

Simon Harris said he did not regret the Irish government’s intervention in the ICJ case in relation to Israel.

Ireland had previously signaled its support for South Africa’s case against Israel at the ICJ, saying it would ask the court to “expand its interpretation of what constitutes commission of genocide by a state”.

Mr Harris also denied that Ireland was anti-Israel.

But Mr Ehrlich told RTÉ News at One about Ireland’s request to the ICJ: “This is an abuse of the international multilateral system by South Africa and while we regret that Ireland is joining, this is a step-by-step process. “It will add to the accumulation and rhetoric.” And we have seen the efforts that Ireland has been trying to promote over the past year.

“Unfortunately, over the past year we have seen Ireland placed in an extreme position that no other country has been placed in.

“In most countries we have difficult conversations, we have disagreements, we accept criticism, but in Ireland we have crossed that line.

“We see Ireland as being in a more extreme position than any other country.”

Mr Ehrlich said he had heard concerns from Ireland’s Jewish and Israeli communities.

“We will take these concerns to the Irish government, who must ensure that Jews are safe and that there is a future for the Jewish community in Ireland,” she said.

“We need to make these guarantees.”

“The priority must be to shine a spotlight on what is happening in the Middle East and not allow anything to distract from what is happening,” he said.

Although he regretted the Israeli government’s actions regarding the closure of the embassy, ​​he stressed the importance of diplomatic relations and Ireland’s continued engagement with Israel.

He added: “We are very proud of the decision Ireland has taken. We support human rights and international law.”

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said the Irish government needed to “stand firm” in its position on Israel and Gaza.

Mr McDonald described Israel’s move over the embassy in Dublin as an attempt to test the will of the Irish government.

“We need to work with other countries to put as much pressure as possible on the (Benyamin) Netanyahu government,” she said.

The chairman of the Irish Jewish Representative Council said he was “deeply concerned” by the deterioration of relations between Ireland and Israel.

Chairman Maurice Cohen said the closure of the Israeli embassy was causing distress to Israeli citizens in Ireland.

He said the Irish government’s intervention in the ICJ risks “oversimplifying a very complex and tragic conflict, unfairly isolating Israel and undermining the legitimacy of the term ‘genocide'”. .

Mr Cohen said that for Ireland’s Jewish community, “the closure of the embassy is not only a symbolic blow, but also a real disadvantage”.

“Consular services provided by embassies are vital for people maintaining ties to their family, culture and heritage in Israel,” he added.

“Losing this resource will leave many people without support and in pain.

“Closing the embassy risks alienating important segments of Irish society and sends a message that dialogue will be replaced by non-engagement.”

He reaffirmed the Irish Jewish Representative Council’s commitment to peace and the protection of innocent life on “all sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict” and the right to protect Israel from “terrorism and existential threats.” He also said he supports it.

Mr Cohen called on the governments of Ireland and Israel to seek ways to restore trust and ensure that avenues for diplomatic engagement remain open.

Daniel Epstein O’Dowd, from the Irish-Israel Alliance, told BBC News NI that Israel’s decision to close its embassy in Dublin was a “predictable” decision, adding: “In response to provocations by the Irish government since October 7, “Provocation after provocation continues,” he said. ”.

He said this was a highly symbolic move by Israel, showing that it ultimately saw no value in maintaining a diplomatic presence in the Republic of Ireland.

“Many Israelis working in the high-tech industry here in Dublin are frankly feeling a bit stranded and isolated. “I feel like the embassy has really helped me.’That sense of community shined through,” he added.

“So I think it’s interesting to see where they go next.

“I don’t think the details have been announced yet, but I think ultimately it will be held somewhere other than Ireland. It’s a very sad day for everyone in Ireland and Israel.”

Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Michael Martin said there were no plans to close the Israeli embassy.

On October 7, last year, Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

In retaliation, Israel launched a major operation within the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of eliminating Hamas.

At least 44,875 people have been killed and more than 100,000 injured, most of them civilians, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. The United Nations considers these figures reliable.