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Writer's pictureHina Khan

Opinion: Ireland’s Long-Standing Anti-Israel Bias Finally Meets Consequences

In a bold and necessary move, Israel has announced the closure of its embassy in Ireland, sending a powerful message to Dublin and the international community: Enough is enough. The decision comes in response to Ireland’s support for a petition at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide, an outrageous and baseless claim rooted in the longstanding anti-Israel bias of the Irish government.


Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s statement was clear: Ireland’s actions have gone far beyond the bounds of legitimate criticism. By endorsing South Africa’s ICJ petition, Dublin has once again aligned itself with efforts to delegitimize the Jewish state. This is not an isolated incident but the latest in a series of hostile moves by Ireland, including its unilateral recognition of a so-called Palestinian state in 2014 and repeated use of antisemitic rhetoric disguised as “criticism of Israel.”


Some critics may question why Israel chose to target Ireland while sparing other countries like Egypt, Spain, and Mexico, which also joined the ICJ petition. The answer is simple: Ireland has positioned itself as one of the most vocally anti-Israel governments in the Western world. Unlike others, Ireland has consistently demonized Israel on the global stage, leading efforts to isolate and sanction the Jewish state.


Israel’s past tolerance of Ireland’s hostility has evidently emboldened Dublin to escalate its anti-Israel campaign. Sa’ar’s decision to close the embassy signals a shift in Israel’s approach. Israel is no longer willing to tolerate double standards or allow its sovereignty and moral legitimacy to be undermined.


Ireland’s hostility is not rooted in concern for human rights or international law, as it claims. If it were, Ireland would have directed similar criticism at regimes like Iran, Syria, or China, where genuine atrocities occur on a massive scale. Instead, it has chosen to target the world’s only Jewish state—a beacon of democracy and innovation in a volatile region.

This bias is deeply ingrained in Ireland’s political culture, which has a long history of romanticizing anti-Israel narratives. From parliamentary debates to street protests, Ireland has become a hub for activists pushing antisemitic tropes under the guise of “Palestinian solidarity.”


The closure of the Irish embassy is not a loss for Israel but a strategic reallocation of resources. As Sa’ar stated, Israel will focus on fostering relationships with countries that demonstrate mutual respect and fairness. Ireland’s decision to support a petition accusing Israel of genocide—a claim as ludicrous as it is offensive—disqualifies it as a partner for constructive dialogue.


This is a wake-up call to the international community. Israel’s decision to act against Ireland should inspire other nations to confront the growing wave of antisemitism cloaked in anti-Israel rhetoric. It’s time to stand with Israel against those who seek to delegitimize its existence and deny the Jewish people their right to self-determination.


As Ireland’s prime minister, Simon Harris, feigns regret and denies anti-Israel bias, the facts speak louder. Ireland has crossed every red line. Israel’s response is not only justified but long overdue.

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