Israel is to close its embassy in Dublin due to what it calls the “extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government."
In a statement, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that in the past Israel’s ambassador to Dublin was recalled “following Ireland’s unilateral decision to recognise a ‘Palestinian state.'"
Last week, Ireland announced its support for South Africa’s legal action against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The action accuses Israel of "genocide."
Minister Saar added: “The actions and anti-Semitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the de-legitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state, along with double standards. Israel will invest its resources in advancing bilateral relations with countries worldwide according to priorities that also take into account the attitudes and actions of these states toward Israel.”
Taoiseach Simon Harris said he rejected the Israeli government claims.
“Ireland is pro-peace, human rights and pro-international law,” Mr. Harris posted on Twitter.
Later speaking to reporters, he said: “What is happening in the Middle-East, what is happening in Gaza is extraordinary. I mean Ireland’s position has been clear on this from day one. We want to see the release of all hostages, absolutely.
"We condemned the horrific terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, one hundred percent, absolutely, an horrific terrorist attack, but we also know that there are innocent children who are dying. Who are being maimed and who are suffering in a way that I’m not sure that that the whole world can yet fully comprehend until we get into Gaza.”
Harris added: “No-one’s going to silence Ireland. We know right from wrong. We value human rights, respect international law. We expect international law to be applied consistently. We’ve been crystal clear in relation to the need for hostages to be released in our condemnation of Hamas as a despicable terrorist organisation that offers no bring future to anybody in Palestine.
"We condemn all attacks on Israel. Israel has a right to live in peace and security and a right to defend itself. You can still say all those things and still say the next thing, which is that what the Netanyahu government is doing to innocent civilians in Gaza and in the West Bank is utterly despicable and should be condemned by all.”
