FM Sa'ar decides to close Ireland embassy over 'antisemitic actions, rhetoric'

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has decided to close Israel’s embassy in Ireland in light of the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government, the Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday.

The announcement also noted that in the past, Israel’s ambassador to Dublin was recalled following Ireland’s unilateral decision to recognize a Palestinian state. Last week, Ireland announced its support for South Africa’s legal action against Israel in the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide.

Sa’ar made a statement along with the announcement, which said, “The actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state, along with double standards. 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.

“There are countries interested in strengthening their ties with Israel where we do not yet have an Israeli embassy. We will adjust Israel’s diplomatic network of missions while giving due weight, among other factors, to the positions and actions of various countries toward Israel in the diplomatic arena,” Sa’ar’s statement concluded.

ההחלטה לסגור את שגרירות ישראל באירלנד היא לתת נצחון לאנטישמיות ולארגונים האנטי ישראלים. הדרך להתמודד עם בקורת היא לא לברוח, אלא להישאר ולהלחם!

— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) December 15, 2024

Opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on X/Twitter, “The decision to close the Israeli embassy in Ireland is a victory for antisemitism and anti-Israel organizations. The way to deal with criticism is not to run away but to stay and fight!”

Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said the decision was deeply regrettable. “I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights, and pro-international law,” he said in a post on X.

“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 to open embassy in Moldova

Sa’ar’s statement also announced the opening of a new embassy in Moldova.

“The relations between Israel and Moldova are friendly, and both countries seek to expand and deepen their relationship. Moldova already has an embassy in Israel, and the time has come for Israel to establish an embassy in Moldova,” the statement read.

Israelis in Ireland react

Following the announcement, Israelis living and working in Ireland voiced strong reactions.

“This is a sad day, stemming from an unfortunate and unnecessary decision by Israel,” Roy Cohen, a 45-year-old high-tech professional originally from Herzliya who moved to Ireland about a decade ago, said to Walla. “As an Israeli, I deeply regret this. From my perspective, Israel has abandoned us, not Ireland. It’s a populist and foolish move. Essentially, they are punishing us.”

“It’s a shame for the more than 1,000 Israelis living here who will no longer receive consular services,” Cohen added. “It’s also unfortunate that instead of helping educate the Irish, who are always willing to listen. We’ve handed them a reward. This wasn’t done when Spain recognized Palestine and joined the lawsuit in The Hague from the beginning. The media here is celebrating the embassy’s closure; for them, it’s like an admission of genocide,” he said with evident sorrow.

Reuters and Yoav Etiel contributed to this report.