Irish president slams Israeli decision to close embassy over antisemitism concerns

Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins responded with rage to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s characterization of Ireland as an antisemitic country, claiming that his statements constituted “deep slander.”

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

Higgins did not stop there and went on to claim that Israel was looking to colonize Egypt and had “breached” the sovereignty of its neighbors in the region.

“I take it as a very serious business to actually brand a people because in fact they disagree with Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu, who is in breach of so many bits of international law, and who has breached the sovereignty of three of his neighbors, in relation to Lebanon, Syria, and would like in fact actually to have a settlement into Egypt,” Higgins stated. 

Higgins made his comments at a ceremony “for the Ambassador of the State of Palestine Jilan Abdaljamid and Ambassador of Italy Nicola Faganello, both of whom presented their credentials,” according to Irish Times.

Ireland recognized Palestine as an independent state in May, with Hamas praising the country for its diplomatic initiative.

Higgins’ remarks came after the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that it is closing Israel’s embassy in Ireland due to “antisemitic actions, rhetoric.”

Sa’ar said the embassy closing was prompted by Ireland crossing all red lines in its relationship with Israel.

“The actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimization and demonization of the Jewish state, along with double standards. 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,” Sa'ar stated.

Sa'ar reacted to Higgins’ claims of Israeli colonization of Egypt with the words, “once an antisemitic liar – always an antisemitic liar,” and a long rebuttal of the Irish president’s claims in a post on 𝕏.

“Ireland's President reached a new low, spewing lies that Israel ‘has breached the sovereignty of three of his neighbors, in relation to Lebanon, Syria and would like in fact to have a settlement in Egypt,’” Sa’ar wrote.

“Let's get the facts straight. From Lebanese territory, Israel's sovereignty was breached for over a year. For no reason and unprovoked, Hezbollah joined Hamas on October 8 and since then fired tens of thousands of missiles, rockets and drones at Israeli citizens and communities. Israel did what any country would – it defended itself against a brutal aggressor.”

Sa’ar also addressed the situation in Syria in his response.

“While Assad's regime disintegrated, armed groups entered the buffer zone and attacked UNDOF forces, in violation of the Disengagement Agreement from 1974. Israel temporarily entered a few limited points to prevent the threat of radical Islamists against its citizens and communities. Israel will not wait for another October 7 on any of its borders,” the foreign minister stressed.

Sa’ar noted that Higgins had fabricated the claim about Egypt.

“With regard to Egypt – Higgins invented the claim that Israel seeks to form settlements there. The facts: in the context of our peace agreement with Egypt – Israel withdrew from a huge area – all of the Sinai desert, and uprooted all of its communities there. This peace agreement has been maintained since 1979.”