Israel decides to close its embassy in Ireland due to 'antisemitic actions, rhetoric'

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has decided to close Israel’s embassy in Ireland due to “antisemitic actions, rhetoric,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday.

The diplomatic decision likely reflects the strong tensions that currently exist between the Irish and Israeli governments on the Hamas-initiated war in Gaza and beyond. 

"The actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state, along with double standards. Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel. 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,” Saar stated.

He continued by emphasizing that Israel would instead invest diplomatic capital in countries where Israel does not have an embassy but are interested in strong ties with Jerusalem. 

“There are countries interested in strengthening their ties with Israel where we do not yet have an Israeli embassy. We will adjust Israel’s diplomatic network of missions while giving due weight, among other factors, to the positions and actions of various countries toward Israel in the diplomatic arena," Saar assessed. 

The Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris denied that Ireland embraced anti-Israel policies. 

"I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights, and pro-international law," Harris wrote on 𝕏. 

"Ireland wants a two-state solution and for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security. Ireland will always speak up for human rights and international law," Harris added. 

The Irish Foreign Ministry also denied that Ireland’s Middle Eastern policies have been one-sided against Israel. 

“Ireland’s position on the conflict in the Middle East has always been guided by the principles of international law and the obligation on all States to adhere to international humanitarian law,” the Irish foreign ministry stated.

“The continuation of the war in Gaza and the loss of innocent lives is simply unacceptable and contravenes international law. It represents the collective punishment of the Palestinian people in Gaza,” it noted without elaborating. 

“Ireland and Israel will continue to maintain diplomatic relations. Inherent in that is the right to agree and disagree on fundamental points,” Dublin concluded. 

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid lamented the decision to close the Israeli embassy in Dublin as a victory for antisemitism. 

"The decision to close the Israeli embassy in Ireland is a victory for antisemitism and anti-Israel organizations. The way to deal with criticism is not to run away but to stay and fight!" Lapid argued. 

Ireland has focused its criticisms on Israeli actions in Gaza, accusing Israel of "war crimes" and "genocide," while not sufficiently addressing the attacks by Hamas against Israeli civilians.

Despite Irish denials, Dublin’s Middle Eastern policies have been far from balanced and extreme by Western standards.

In May, Ireland joined Spain and Norway in unilaterally recognizing “Palestine” as an independent state despite objections from Israel that such diplomatic move constituted a reward for the October 7 massacre of over 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping of 251 people from Israel. 

While many Western governments have criticized Israeli military operations in Gaza, Ireland went much further by embracing the narrative that Israeli is committing “genocide” in Gaza. 

Ireland recently asked for widening the definition of “genocide” in the South African anti-Israel case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). 

"By legally intervening in South Africa’s case, Ireland will be asking the ICJ to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes the commission of genocide by a State," the foreign affairs department in Dublin stated. 

"We are concerned that a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimized," it added.

Ireland has not prominently addressed the actions of Hamas, which has targeted Israeli civilians and used Gazan civilians as human shields, actions that are considered double war crimes under international law.

Leading Western nations including the United States, United Kingdom and Germany have rejected the “genocide” allegations against Israel and defended Israel’s right to defend itself against its genocidal enemies. 

Meanwhile, Israel has decided to open an embassy in Moldova, a country that reportedly seeks close ties with Israel.