Outgoing Israeli ambassador accuses government of fostering 'hostile atmosphere'
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The outgoing Israeli ambassador to Ireland has accused the government of fostering a “hostile atmosphere”, leading to the decision to close the embassy in Dublin.
Dana Erlich said the closure of the embassy was the “correct diplomatic decision to make”, as Tánasite Micheál Martin rejected any assertion that Ireland has taken “hostile” acts against Israel.
The Israeli foreign ministry on Sunday confirmed the closure of their embassy in Dublin, accusing the Irish government of “extreme anti-Israel policies”.
“The anti-Semitic actions and rhetoric that Ireland is taking against Israel are based on delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state and on double standards,” Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar said.
In particular, the foreign ministry cited both the recognition of the Palestinian State and Ireland’s proposed intervention at the International Court of Justice to broaden the definition of genocide as breaking points. Mr Saar said Ireland has crossed “all red lines in its relationship with Israel”.
On Monday, Ms Erlich said that she has seen a “growing incitement and hatred towards anything Israeli” in Ireland.
“Unfortunately it has crossed the line. This is not criticism but this is just pure hatred and obsession that is now directed to Israelis and the Jewish community,” Ms Erlich said.
The outgoing ambassador claimed that there has been a “surge” in antisemitism in Ireland over the last year and that Ireland’s government should reassure the Jewish community that they are safe in the country.
“We will continue in contact with our allies and supporters, but the format of the embassy needs to change in light of these anti-Israeli steps,” Ms Erlich said, speaking on RTÉ’s News at One.
“There is no other way to call it because, unfortunately, this is not about pro-coexistence, pro-peace. The steps that we have seen are about isolating and discriminating against Israel.”
Put to Ms Erlich that the ongoing bombardment of Gaza goes beyond protecting Israeli citizens, she insisted that Israel is providing information about the threat of Hamas to Israel.
Most recent figures from health officials in Gaza show the death toll from the war has topped 45,000 people.
Ms Erlich said Ireland’s intervention in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel was an effort to abuse international systems and was “playing into the propaganda of terror organisations like Hamas”.
She added that Ireland was attempting to promote “anti-Israel measures” within the EU and “foster hostility” through UN resolutions.
“We still see that Ireland is an extreme voice in the international arena.”
Pressed if Israel would shut their embassy in Spain, after the Spanish government also intervened in the South Africa case, Ms Erlich declined to say and instead said Ireland had “gone over that line”.
“The fact that there is delegitimisation of any collaboration with Israel, with the embassy, with Israelis, the incitement and hatred are not stopped by the government,” Ms Erlich said.
The outgoing ambassador said Israel did not intend to rescind permission for Ireland’s embassy in Tel Aviv.
Earlier Mr Matrin said actions by the Irish government should not be seen as “hostile” acts, while the closure of the embassy in Dublin has been described as "the diplomacy of distraction" by Simon Harris.
Speaking in Brussels, the Tánaiste rejected any assertion that the recognition of a Palestinian State and intervention in South Africa’s genocide case were hostile actions against the Israeli State.
“Any action that the Irish government has taken in respect of these issues, and particularly in terms of the war in Gaza, has not been motivated in anything other than respect for international humanitarian law, respect for human rights,” Mr Martin said.
He said that Ireland’s recognition of a Palestinian State, along with both Spain and Norway, was not a hostile act, while also defending the intervention in South Africa’s genocide case.
“Ireland stands by the approach it has taken which has been moulded, as I have said, towards full accountability for what is happening in Gaza and for respect for international humanitarian law and human rights,” Mr Martin said.
“That applies to Hamas, that has applied to Hezbollah and to the Israeli government as well. I find it very difficult to comprehend how those acts could be described as hostile acts. They’re not hostile acts.”
Mr Martin said that there has been “huge anger” at the killing of innocent men, women and children in Gaza, while he described the ongoing bombardment in northern Gaza as “beyond any moral compass”.
“We’re having daily reports of killings of children, men and women, and Irish people are repulsed by that,” he added.
The Tánaiste urged Israel to open up access to Gaza and allow the international community to “bear witness to what is happening”.
“I have no doubt if that happened, that the world would be shocked in terms of the level of destruction that has occurred there and the absolute need for a fundamental change of approach.” He said that this should be the rebuilding of Gaza and allowing ordinary civilians in the enclave to live their lives.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach has said Ireland "would not be silenced" and that he was proud of the Irish public's reaction to Israel's war on Gaza.
"I'd respectfully suggest [Israel had taken this action] possibly because it works as a distraction," he said in Dun Laoghaire on Monday.
"You're all here today asking about Ireland's position. What about Israel's actions? What about what Netanyahu is doing to the innocent children of Gaza? This is the diplomacy of distraction. And I think it is deeply regrettable that they took that decision.
"They have every right to take that decision to close the embassy. I'd rather it didn't happen. We will continue to engage, continue to engage diplomatically, but nobody is going to silence Ireland."
Mr Harris also rejected criticism from within his own Fine Gael party that Ireland's attitude towards Israel was populist and "diplomatic suicide". Mayor of Dun Laoghaire councillor Jim O'Leary had tweeted that Ireland's stance was "reprehensible", a charge Mr Harris rejected.
"I'm very proud of the position of this country. I'm very proud of the position of people right across Ireland that we are pro human rights, we are pro international law.
"And for a small country, we use our voice in speaking up and speaking out against war crimes, against attacks on civilians, against the death and maiming of children, against starvation being used as a weapon of war."