Israel closes embassy in Ireland

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has announced the closure of Israel’s embassy in Ireland due to “extreme anti-Israel policy of the Irish government.”

“The antisemitic actions and rhetoric that Ireland is taking against Israel are based on delegitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state and on double standards,” Sa’ar said on Sunday. “Ireland has crossed all red lines in its relationship with Israel. Israel will invest its resources in promoting bilateral relations with the countries of the world according to priorities that are also derived from the attitude of the various countries towards it.”

In May, Israel recalled its ambassador Dana Erlich after the Irish government joined Spain and Norway in announcing it would unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state. Ireland has not recalled its envoy to Israel.

Sa’ar also cited Ireland’s decision last week to become involved in the South African lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which is accusing the Jewish State of genocide against the Palestinians.

The Foreign Minister said that Israel will open an embassy in Moldova, which already has an embassy in Israel. The opening is expected to occur in the next year, and Israel is beginning the process of finding a site and appointing an ambassador.

“There are countries that are interested in strengthening their ties with Israel and do not yet have an Israeli embassy,” said Sa’ar. “We will adjust the Israeli diplomatic structure of our missions while giving weight, among other things, to the approach and actions of the various countries towards Israel in the political arena.”