Israeli foreign minister labels Taoiseach Simon Harris as 'antisemitic'
Not And Picture: Spokesperson False 'will Eagers Said Be Attacks' For A Harris He To Personalised Responding Damien Simon
The Israeli foreign minister has called the Taoiseach Simon Harris "antisemitic" as relations between the two governments worsen.
Gideon Saar announced on Sunday that Israel would close its embassy in Dublin in reaction to Ireland's joining of a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
That move was called "the diplomacy of distraction" by Mr Harris on Monday, but in a statement, Mr Saar went further.
"There is a difference between criticism — and antisemitism based on the delegitimisation and dehumanisation of Israel and double standards towards Israel," Mr Saar said, referencing the "Three Ds", a standard applied to defining antisemitism.
He referenced Irish support for proceedings against Israeli leaders by the International Criminal Court as well as the ICJ case.
"Last night Ireland's antisemitic Prime Minister Simon Harris said in an interview 'Ireland is not anti-Israel but Ireland is absolutely anti the starvation of children'," Saar said. "Is Israel starving children?"
The Times of Israel reported on Monday that Mr Saar had told a meeting of his New Hope political faction that Ireland “did not bother to promote measures to fight anti-Semitism within the country, on the contrary, they only encouraged it".
Israel announced on Monday that it will open an embassy in Moldova to replace its outpost in Dublin.
Mr Saar 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.
"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.”
A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said: “The Taoiseach will not be responding to personalised and false attacks and remains focused on the horrific war crimes being perpetrated in Gaza, standing up for human rights and international law and reflecting the views of so many people across Ireland who are so concerned at the loss of innocent, civilian lives.”