Irish support for Palestinians stands firm, despite Israeli anger

Israel may have withdrawn its ambassador, but Irish support for Palestinians is deep-rooted.

Ireland’s decision to join South Africa’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) case accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza continues to feed a diplomatic storm that, to many observers, has been years in the making.

On Monday, following Israel’s decision to close its embassy in Ireland, the newly appointed Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar lashed out at Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Simon Harris, accusing him of anti-Semitism. “There is a difference between criticism,” Saar said, “and anti-Semitism based on the delegitimisation and dehumanisation of Israel and double standards towards Israel as opposed to other countries. This is how Ireland allowed itself to behave towards Israel.”

Responding to the furore, Harris told reporters in Dublin that Ireland would not be silenced, stressing Ireland had remained consistent throughout the war in its support for Israel’s “right to defend itself” within the limits of international law.

However, “You know what I think is reprehensible?,” Harris caveated, “Killing children, I think that’s reprehensible. You know what I think is reprehensible? Seeing the scale of civilian deaths that we’ve seen in Gaza. You know what I think is reprehensible? People being left to starve and humanitarian aid not flowing.”