Israel has announced that it is closing its embassy in Ireland, just days after Ireland announced that it is joining South Africa’s genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and as the death toll in Gaza reaches another grim milestone.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that Ireland has “extreme anti-Israel policies” — referring to Ireland’s criticism of Israel’s genocide and recognition of Palestinian rights, which are in line with orders by the ICJ and the opinions of myriad human rights and legal experts across the world.
Saar cited “antisemitic rhetoric” used by Irish officials, without any evidence, and said, “Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel.”
Irish leaders have long been opposed to Gaza’s genocide and Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine. In May, Ireland formally recognized Palestine as a state with sovereignty, and established diplomatic relations with Palestinian officials. In response, Israel removed its ambassador in Ireland, arguing that such a move erodes Israel’s ability to defend itself — an argument that has been ruled invalid by the ICJ when it comes to Israel’s occupation.
This week’s move is in response to Ireland announcing that it is helping to back South Africa’s genocide case. The Irish government filed an argument “asking the ICJ to broaden its interpretation” of what constitutes a genocide, per a press release, saying that “a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimised.”
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called Israel’s decision to close the embassy “deeply regrettable.”
“I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-International law,” said Harris. “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.”
Israel’s move comes as the official death toll in Gaza has surpassed 45,000, though experts say the true death toll is likely far higher.
Israeli officials said they would instead open an embassy in Moldova, which has an embassy in Israel already.
Ireland’s Tánaiste, the deputy prime minister, Micheál Martin said that the country does not plan on closing its embassy in Israel.
Israel’s move comes as it is growing increasingly isolated internationally due to its genocide in Gaza, creeping annexation of the occupied West Bank, and aggression in Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and more.
Israel and the U.S. are two of just a handful of states that vote against resolutions affirming Palestinian rights in the UN General Assembly. Some countries and entities have cut trade partnerships or halted weapons transfers to Israel, while over a dozen countries have announced their intention to back South Africa’s ICJ case.
Meanwhile, one of the largest human rights groups in the world, Amnesty International, found in a bombshell report this month that Israel’s assault does amount to a genocide, and that Israeli officials have clearly set out with the intention of carrying out a genocide in Gaza.
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