By GB News (World News) | Created at 2024-12-16 13:26:08 | Updated at 2024-12-16 15:46:53
2 hours ago
Israel is shutting down its embassy in Ireland, citing the Irish government’s “extreme anti-Israel policy”.
Last week, Dublin gave its support to a petition at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide.
Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's foreign minister, said “Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel”.
He said that Israel would withdraw its ambassador and close its embassy - believed to be the first time Tel Aviv has shut its doors in a Western country.
Israel is shutting down its embassy in Ireland
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Dana Erlich is Israel's ambassador to Ireland
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“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. Nothing will distract from that.”
He added that “keeping channels open has never been more important so that we can better understand each other's positions, even when we disagree”.
Israel has said that it will now adjust its “diplomatic network of missions” to countries supportive of Israel, but currently without an embassy.
Sa'ar said Moldova will be getting an embassy, and the process has already begun of finding a suitable location and ambassador.
Micheál Martin, deputy prime minister in Ireland, said there are no plans to close the embassy, adding in a statement: “I believe firmly in the importance of maintaining diplomatic channels of communication and regret that this decision has been taken.”
Floral tributes and images of those kidnapped or missing following October 7
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The Irish government has been extremely critical of Israel’s war conduct in Gaza, which has soon almost 45,000 Palestinians killed and 107,000 injured, the Hamas-run health ministry says. The UN regards these figures as reliable.
Last week, Martin announced that he had secured government approval for Ireland to intervene in the ICJ case, brought forward by South Africa.
“There has been a collective punishment of the Palestinian people through the intent and impact of military actions of Israel in Gaza, leaving 44,000 dead and millions of civilians displaced,” said Martin.
“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.
“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 minimised.
“Ireland’s view of the convention is broader and prioritises the protection of civilian life – as a committed supporter of the convention, the government will promote that interpretation in its intervention in this case.”
