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"Israel’s" suspension of relations with Dublin is further evidence of its indifference to human suffering

  • Hamzah Rifaat Hamzah Rifaat
  • Source: Al Mayadeen English
  • 28 Dec 2024 00:52
5 Min Read

The only plausible explanation for "Israel’s" decision to suspend ties with Ireland is the criminal indifference of Netanyahu and the Israeli public to human suffering.

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  • "Israel’s" suspension of relations with Dublin is further evidence of its indifference to human suffering (illustrated by Zeinab El Hajj, Al Mayadeen English)

"Israel’s" decision to close its embassy in Dublin is further evidence of its genocidal proclivities and indifference to human suffering. It shows that Netanyahu would castigate any country that calls out his government’s crimes against humanity, supports cases lodged against it in the ICJ, or backs the Palestinian resistance. "Israel" has dubbed Ireland as a ‘rogue state’ or ‘anti-Semitic’ by the racist, fascist regime which further exposes "Israel’s" tendency to demonize any UN member state arbitrarily. 

This latest breakdown of diplomatic relations with Ireland though, establishes the already pariah status of "Israel". This status stands in stark contrast to the Republic of Ireland which has demonstrated remarkable maturity, composure, and sensibility with regard to its foreign policy in the Middle East. 

"Israel" however, has defended its appalling decision. The justification cited is the same ‘anti-Semitism’ narrative that has been used time and time again by Israeli policymakers to lambast critics and cover its Zionist crimes. This entire argument of severing diplomatic ties with Ireland is ironic as Dublin has been an ardent defender of the right for communities to realize their self-determination. Historically, the Irish state has vouched for populations suffering discrimination, occupation, or coercion to gain popular sovereignty. This includes resistance to British imperialism on subjects such as the governance of Northern Ireland and Catholic nationalists vigorously resisting Protestant unionists backed by the British monarch which resulted in widescale tensions, riots, and violence resulting in casualties totaling over 3,000 from 1969 to 2001. Additionally, Ireland always prioritized its constitutional independence instead of subservience to the British Crown which was commendable for a country that resisted colonial rule for an independent future.  

It is hence, natural that Ireland is censuring "Israel" for massacring over 45,000 innocent Palestinian men, women, and children as part of its brutal terrorism. Ireland was also quick to support a petition by South Africa at the International Court of Justice which was filed in mid-December, accusing "Israel" of genocide. This support and unequivocal stance suggests that Dublin has not fallen prey to Israeli propaganda or apathy as its fellow counterparts in Europe have, such as Germany. In fact, Irish Taoiseach, Simon Harris clearly affirmed that Ireland will always speak up for human rights and international law and nothing will distract it from doing so. 

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"Israel’s" response, however, has been to degrade and demonize a country as ‘anti-Semitic’, ‘anti-peace’ and ‘anti-human rights’ which essentially ignores the illustrious sacrifices Ireland has made to secure its sovereignty from the British Crown. "Israel" also fails to understand that Ireland is a country that has suffered from years of colonization during the 17th and 20th centuries from British rule, which resulted in many Irish Catholics suffering economic exploitation, and neglect and being treated as second-class citizens. It is also ironic that 'Israel" has rallied against a country that is sensitive about their identity and Palestinians given that Netanyahu has cited threats to ‘Jewish identity’ as a justification to massacre Palestinians. 

Hence, the only plausible explanation for "Israel’s" decision to suspend ties with Ireland is the criminal indifference from Netanyahu and the Israeli public to human suffering. No protests took place in "Israel" once the announcement was made and it doesn’t matter to 'Israel" whether it is demonizing a country with a history of resistance. "Israel" always seeks to leverage its foreign policy based on pro-genocidal considerations and it also does not matter to the Israeli political or security apparatus if populations have been subjected to the worst form of neocolonialism, imperialism, and state-sponsored terrorism. All that matters is that sovereign governments and populations must toe the Zionist line. Otherwise, they are criminals. 

Only the Rwanda genocide of 1994 compares to the Palestinian genocide in terms of widespread casualties, repression, and massacres. Yet the brazen manner in which the Netanyahu regime has castigated and discredited the Irish narrative and stance on Palestine points to crass, crude indifference. 

The international community should realize this and the fact that the contrast between the two sides is glaring and evident. Unlike Ireland which has a rich tradition of visionary leadership and notable contributions to global peacebuilding efforts, the Israeli leadership has been under fire from the international community. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for former Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, and Prime Minister Netanyahu for committing crimes against humanity including the deliberate weaponization of starvation against innocent Palestinians and committing murder, extrajudicial killings, and persecution. The global community should hence, realize that there is no credibility to "Israel’s" decision to cut ties with a country that believes in equity, peace, and justice. 

"Israel" is now on the verge of further isolation as yet another country has been antagonized by its indifference to genocide. Ireland follows Bolivia, South Africa, Pakistan, Iran, Norway and Spain as countries who have been angered by Netanyahu’s killing sprees. Only the United States is backing this regime which has yet again demonstrated diplomatic immaturity.  

The latest blow is the downgrading of ties with a country like Ireland. 

The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect Al Mayadeen’s editorial stance.
  • Israel
  • Ireland
Hamzah Rifaat

Hamzah Rifaat

A host/anchor, analyst, and visiting fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington D.C.,2016.

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