Israel has announced that it is closing its embassy in Ireland, just days after Ireland announced that it is joining South Africa’s genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and as the death toll in Gaza reaches another grim milestone.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that Ireland has “extreme anti-Israel policies” — referring to Ireland’s criticism of Israel’s genocide and recognition of Palestinian rights, which are in line with orders by the ICJ and the opinions of myriad human rights and legal experts across the world.

Saar cited “antisemitic rhetoric” used by Irish officials, without any evidence, and said, “Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel.”

Irish leaders have long been opposed to Gaza’s genocide and Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine. In May, Ireland formally recognized Palestine as a state with sovereignty, and established diplomatic relations with Palestinian officials. In response, Israel removed its ambassador in Ireland, arguing that such a move erodes Israel’s ability to defend itself — an argument that has been ruled invalid by the ICJ when it comes to Israel’s occupation.

This week’s move is in response to Ireland announcing that it is helping to back South Africa’s genocide case. The Irish government filed an argument “asking the ICJ to broaden its interpretation” of what constitutes a genocide, per a press release, saying that “a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimised.”

Irish Prime Minister........

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