Relations between Ireland and Israel over Palestine and Gaza reached an all-time low that Tel Aviv announced, Sunday, it will close down its Embassy in Dublin.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Israel is closing its embassy in Ireland in light of what he calls “the extreme anti-Israel policies pursued by the Irish government.”
Sa’ar implied the Israeli decision was expected because a few months ago Israel recalled its ambassador to Dublin Dana Erlich after Ireland’s unilateral decision to recognize a Palestinian state.
Recently Ireland announced its support for South Africa’s legal action in the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing genocide.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said Israel’s decision to close its embassy in Dublin was “deeply regrettable.”
On 28 May, Ireland announced its official recognition of the Palestinian state, and the Dublin government agreed to establish full diplomatic relations, in defiance of Israel, which denounced the plan.
As well last November, Harris said that Dublin would be prepared to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he set foot in Ireland following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.
The diplomatic row has been escalating between the two countries but Ireland has not recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv.