The govt of Israel had decided to close its embassy in Ireland, citing the “extreme anti-Israel policy of the Irish government.” Israeli foreign ministry announced the decision taken by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on Sunday.
Foreign Minister Sa’ar said, “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.”
He added, “The antisemitic actions and rhetoric that Ireland is taking against Israel are based on delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state and on double standards.”
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called the decision “deeply regrettable”, and rejected the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. He tweeted, “This is a deeply regrettable decision from the Netanyahu government. I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-International law.”
Harris further added, “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.”
Earlier in May this year, Israel recalled its ambassador to Ireland after the Irish govt announced that they would unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state. Ireland has not recalled its envoy to Israel yet.
Last week, Ireland joined South Africa in the case against Israel at the International Criminal Court in The Hague. South African govt has accused Israel of ‘genocide’ for its military action against Hamas in Gaza in retaliation to the 7 October 2023 terror attack.
Minister Sa’ar said that Israel will adjust its diplomatic network of missions to strengthen ties with countries that want to do the same with Israel, but do not yet have an Israeli embassy. As part of that, Israel has decided to open an embassy in Moldova, the small East European country landlocked between Ukraine and Romania. Moldova has an embassy in Israel.