Tensions rise as 'Israel' shuts embassy over Ireland's Palestine move
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In May, Ireland officially recognized Palestine, elevating its diplomatic delegation in Dublin to a full-fledged embassy, drawing the Israeli occupation's ire.
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"Israel's" Foreign Minister Gideon Saar addresses the media during a press conference in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP)
German public broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported on Thursday that diplomatic tensions between "Israel" and Ireland have escalated following Ireland's recognition of a Palestinian state earlier this year.
In May, Ireland officially recognized Palestine, elevating its diplomatic delegation in Dublin to a full-fledged embassy.
This move was seen as a strong endorsement of the "two-state solution", even as such prospects appear increasingly remote in the Middle East.
The Palestinian embassy, housed in a Georgian townhouse with a red-painted door, became a symbol of Ireland's stance. In response, "Israel" recalled its ambassador, Dana Erlich, and later announced the closure of its embassy in Dublin.
The decision, made under Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, has drawn criticism from several experienced diplomats.
"This was a grandstanding, a pompous political act, nothing more, nothing less," said Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli diplomat in the US and former bureau chief at "Israel's" Foreign Ministry.
"Israel did not sever diplomatic ties with Ireland, it just shut down its embassy, which is by definition a temporary thing. The Irish maintained their embassy in Israel, and the formal diplomatic relations are still intact."
Read more: Ireland formally joins South Africa's genocide case against 'Israel'
Diplomatic dialogue
Jeremy Issacharoff, who served as Israeli ambassador to Berlin until 2022, echoed concerns about the move, stressing the need for dialogue.
"I would have found a balance between signaling our displeasure but also finding a way to maintain a dialogue," he told DW, pointing to the importance of bilateral relations.
"There's a Jewish community in Ireland, there's a number of Israelis who live there and work in high-tech fields, there's trade between the two countries, also they are a member of the EU."
Issacharoff also suggested that Ireland should take steps to improve its approach to "Israel".
"The government of Ireland for its part should make a much greater effort to enable a broader and more tolerant dialogue with respect to Israel and moderate its almost automatic criticism of all that Israel does without reference to the dire threats it has to contend with since October 7," he added.
Read more: Fontaines D.C.'s Carlos O'Connell slams Netanyahu, supports Palestine
Ireland is part of a growing coalition of countries supporting South Africa's genocide case against "Israel" at the ICJ.
Other countries supporting the case include Brazil, Turkey, Malaysia, Chile, Spain, Pakistan, and Syria.
