Israel has announced that it will close its embassy in Dublin in response to Ireland’s support for a petition at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. The decision was made by Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, who cited the Irish government’s “extreme anti-Israeli policies” as the catalyst for the move. This includes Ireland’s backing of South Africa’s legal action against Israel at the ICJ, where the country seeks to have Israel held accountable under the genocide convention.
In a statement, Sa’ar accused Ireland of “antisemitic actions and rhetoric” and said that the country had crossed all “red lines” in its relationship with Israel. He added that the embassy closure would signal a shift in Israel’s diplomatic approach, prioritising relationships with countries that have a more favourable stance towards Israel. Sa’ar pointed out that Israel had not taken similar measures against other nations, such as Egypt, Spain, and Mexico, which also supported the petition.
The row between the two nations comes amidst a deepening conflict in Gaza, where the death toll of Palestinians has reached nearly 45,000 since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. Israel has continued airstrikes on Gaza, causing further casualties, including several deaths on Sunday, with the violence showing no signs of abating. Israeli strikes on Gaza have targeted homes, schools, and civilian infrastructure, with significant casualties reported from air raids on Beit Hanoun and Gaza City.
The Irish government, however, has rejected accusations of anti-Israel bias. Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Simon Harris responded to the embassy closure by stating on X, formerly Twitter, that Ireland remains “pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law.” Harris reiterated that Ireland seeks a two-state solution and would continue to advocate for human rights and international law, despite tensions with Israel. He also stated that the decision was “deeply regrettable” and firmly rejected any assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel.
Ireland’s position on Palestine has long strained its diplomatic relations with Israel. The Irish government has been vocal in its support for Palestinian rights, and in November, Harris stated that Ireland would detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he travelled to Ireland, following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged war crimes.
The Irish government’s recent move to intervene in South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel has further escalated the dispute. The Irish Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Foreign Minister, Micheál Martin, confirmed last week that Ireland had secured government approval to intervene in the case, seeking a broader interpretation of what constitutes genocide under international law. Martin said Ireland’s goal was to push for greater protection of civilian life and prevent a culture of impunity by expanding the legal definition of genocide.
More Read
Martin stated that the intent and impact of Israeli military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in thousands of civilian deaths, constitute collective punishment. He explained that Ireland would advocate for a broader interpretation of the genocide convention during its intervention, stressing the importance of prioritising civilian protection.
In response to these developments, Israel has reiterated that it views the actions of the Irish government as part of a broader trend of delegitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state. The closure of the embassy marks a significant diplomatic escalation and reflects Israel’s growing frustration with Ireland’s vocal criticism of its actions in Gaza.
While the diplomatic rift between Israel and Ireland deepens, the international community remains divided over the conflict in Gaza. The ICJ petition is just one of several legal and political challenges Israel faces regarding its military operations, and the Israeli government’s response to Ireland’s support of the petition underscores the high stakes of the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
As the situation continues to evolve, both Israel and Ireland are likely to face increasing scrutiny from the international community, with the future of their diplomatic relations hanging in the balance.
