Israel accuses Ireland of ‘crossing all red lines’ and closes its embassy in Dublin

“Ireland’s anti-Semitic actions and rhetoric against Israel are rooted in the delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state, as well as double standards. Ireland has crossed all the red lines in its relations with Israel,” said the head of Israeli diplomacy, Gideon Saar, in a press release.

Diplomatic relations between Ireland and Israel have deteriorated following a series of initiatives, including Dublin’s recognition of a State of Palestine and support for proceedings brought by South Africa before the Court International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of “genocide” in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu banned from Ireland after ICC arrest warrant

In the spring, Ireland, alongside Norway and Spain, announced the recognition of a State of Palestine, provoking the ire of Israel. “The decision to close the Israeli embassy in Dublin was taken in light of the extreme anti-Israeli actions of the Irish government,” the Israeli ministry added.

Ireland reacted by deploring “a deeply regrettable decision on the part of (Prime Minister) Netanyahu’s government.” I totally reject the claim that Ireland is anti-Israeli,” Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris wrote on his X account.

In November, he declared that the authorities of his country would detain Benjamin Netanyahu if he went to Ireland, after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him.