Israel will close its embassy in Dublin because of the "extremely anti-Israeli policy of the Irish government", the country's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said today, citing as examples the recognition of a Palestinian state and support for a lawsuit against Israel at the UN International Court of Justice on charges of genocide, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
The Israeli ambassador in Dublin was recalled after Ireland's May decision to recognize the State of Palestine, Saar's statement added.
Last week, Ireland also announced its support for South Africa's lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris called Israel's decision to close "I completely reject the claim that Ireland is an anti-Israel country. Ireland is for peace, human rights and international law," he wrote in a post on the social network X (Ex).
"Ireland is for a two-state solution, with Israel and Palestine living in peace and security. Ireland will always stand for human rights and international law," Harris added.
In March, Irish Foreign Minister Michel Martin said that while the International Court of Justice would have to decide whether genocide had occurred, he wanted to be clear that the attack by Hamas was a "crime against humanity". on October 7 last year, and what is happening in Gaza right now "represents a gross violation of international humanitarian law on a massive scale".
A statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry also announced the opening of an Israeli embassy in Moldova.