Israel announced it would close its embassy in Dublin after Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin declared on December 11, 2024, that Ireland would intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The intervention, which Irish media described as “not taking sides,” aims to advocate for a broader application of the Genocide Convention, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilian lives under international law.
Irish authorities have warned against a narrow interpretation of the Genocide Convention, arguing that such an approach creates “a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimized.” Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed more than 45,000 people in the Gaza Strip, the majority of whom are women, children, and elderly people. In response to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs’ statement, on Sunday, December 15, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Ireland of crossing every line in its relations with Israel and sought to frame the country’s actions and rhetoric as anti-Semitic.
Watch: Chris Hazzard on Ireland’s solidarity with Palestine
While the Irish government has demonstrated greater support for Palestine compared to other countries in the region, local progressive movements have criticized it for a lack of decisive action and for continuing relations with Israel, even as it carries out its genocide in Gaza. Despite Israel’s announcement of its embassy closure, Irish officials reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining diplomatic relations.
“Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights, and pro-international law,” Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris stated in response to Israel’s announcement. Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that maintaining diplomatic relations includes “the right to agree and disagree on fundamental points.” However, the framing of basic international law as a matter of mere disagreement, even as Israel continues to attack Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria, leaves ample room for questions about the strength of the Irish government’s position.
The people of Ireland, on the other hand, have called for a stronger response. Similarly, Sinn Féin members welcomed the announcement of the closure of Israel’s embassy in Dublin, urging the government to sever ties with the occupation. “The next steps must include passing the Occupied Territories Bill and suspending the EU-Israel Association Agreement,” wrote Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy on X. “Israel must be sanctioned for its breaches of international law.”
