Israel’s foreign minister has ordered the closure of the country’s embassy in Dublin, citing the Irish government’s “extreme anti-Israel policy”.
Gideon Sa’ar said the decision is a result of “the extreme anti-Israel policies of the Irish government”, and that “Ireland has crossed every red line in its relations with Israel”.
“The actions and antisemitic rhetoric used by Ireland against Israel are rooted in the delegitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state, along with double standards,” he said in a statement.
The minister pointed to Ireland’s decision earlier this year to recognise a Palestinian state, for which Israel recalled its ambassador in Dublin.
The decision also comes after the Irish government said it would ask the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to broaden its definition of genocide – claiming Israel has engaged in the “collective punishment” of people in Gaza.
Israel will instead “adjust Israel’s diplomatic network of missions” to strengthen ties with countries that want to do the same with Israel, but do not yet have an embassy.
For that reason, Mr Sa’ar said Israel will open an embassy in Moldova, and has instructed officials to find a suitable building and initiate the process of appointing an ambassador.
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Source : Sky News
