Michael D Higgins: To say the Irish people are antisemitic is a deep slander

“I think it is a very serious business to actually brand a people because in fact they disagree with Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is in breach of so many bits of international law.

“I think to suggest that because one criticised Prime Minister Netanyahu that one is antisemitic is such a gross defamation and slander.” 

Mr Higgins said he believed that it was part of a “pattern to damage Ireland”.

The President made the comments during a ceremony where the new Palestinian Ambassador, Jilan Abdaljamid, presented her credentials.

Relations between the Irish and Israeli governments have worsened in recent days, with the Israeli foreign minister calling Taoiseach Simon Harris "antisemitic".

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.

Speaking today, President Higgins echoed comments by both Mr Harris and the Tánaiste that Ireland would not be “deflected” from defending Palestine.

He condemned the actions of Hamas, while also calling for the release of all hostages, alongside the Israeli bombardment which has left more than 45,000 people, of which 17,000 are children, dead.

“In many ways, all of the details of these tragic breaches of international law are what has informed the Irish position and we will continue,” said the President.

He said Israel’s expanded occupation, including in the Golan Heights in Syria, would make it more difficult to establish and support a Palestinian state.

The President said some countries must “break their silence” and come out to support both a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, as well as a two-State solution.

Mr Higgins added that the Irish psyche understood the Palestinian people through the words dispossession and occupation.